CO-EXISTENCE OF BRONCHIAL ASTHMA IN PATIENTS WITH BRONCHIECTASIS WITHOUT ALLERGIC BRONCHOPULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS
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Keywords
Bronchiectasis, Asthma, Airway disease overlap
Abstract
Background: Bronchiectasis and bronchial asthma are chronic respiratory conditions that may co-exist, presenting diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Asthma-induced airway inflammation can contribute to bronchiectatic changes, while bronchiectasis can aggravate asthma symptoms through persistent infection and mucus retention.
Aim: To determine the co-existence of bronchial asthma in patients with bronchiectasis and to compare the clinico-radiological profiles between patients having only bronchiectasis and those with both bronchiectasis and bronchial asthma.
Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted over one year at a tertiary care center in India. A total of 80 patients with HRCT-confirmed bronchiectasis were enrolled and categorized into two groups: those with bronchiectasis alone (n = 66) and those with coexisting bronchial asthma (n = 14). Detailed history, clinical symptoms, spirometry, IgE levels, eosinophil counts, and radiological findings were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v26.0.
Results: Out of 80 participants, 17.5% had coexisting bronchial asthma. The coexisting group showed significantly higher prevalence of breathlessness (100% vs. 53.03%, p = 0.013) and wheezing (57.14% vs. 13.63%, p = 0.001). Females predominated in the bronchiectasis-asthma group (57.14%), whereas males were more common in the bronchiectasis-only group (72.73%). Although not statistically significant, weight loss was more prevalent in patients with coexisting asthma (42.86% vs. 19.69%).
Conclusion: A considerable number of bronchiectasis patients have coexisting bronchial asthma, which alters their clinical symptomatology. Recognizing this overlap is essential for tailored management and improving patient outcomes. Features like wheezing and persistent breathlessness should prompt clinicians to evaluate for concurrent asthma in bronchiectasis patients.
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Dr Yash Rana
MD, Consultant Pulmonologist, Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Pranayam Respiratory Health Care Centre, Rajkot, Gujarat, India
Dr. Gaurav Dhandoria
Senior Resident, Department of Respiratory Medicine, ESIC Medical College and Hospital Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Dr Nishad P Gogdani
Assistant Professor, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Dr. N. D. Desai Faculty of Medical Science and Research, Dharmsinh Desai University, Nadiad, Gujarat, India
Dr Janki Aghera
Associate professor, dept of Physiotherapy, Harivandana Physiotherapy College, Rajkot, Gujarat, India