The coexistence of bronchial asthma in patients with bronchiectasis: A cross sectional study

To determine the co-existence of bronchial asthma in patients of bronchiectasis, and to compare the clinico-radiological profile between patients having only bronchiectasis and both bronchiectasis and bronchial asthma.: 67 patients who presented as Bronchiectasis (Clinical and radiological) to Respiratory Medicine Department at VIMS & RC, Bangalore from January 2020 to June 2021, were subjected to baseline investigations and spirometry/PEFR after informed consent. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22 version software.The clinical and radiological profile were compared between the group having only bronchiectasis and those with bronchiectasis and asthma.Out of the 67 study patients, 55(82.08%) had only bronchiectasis and 12(17.91%) had bronchiectasis with bronchial asthma. In the bronchiectasis only group, majority of the patients were male 40(72.72%) and in the in bronchiectasis with bronchial asthma group majority of the patients were female 7(58.33%) which was statistically significant (P value <0.05). Patients with bronchiectasis and coexisting asthma had statistically significant increased symptoms of breathlessness, wheeze, running nose, sneezing, itching (P value <0.05). Similarly exposure to dust, fumes, pets was found to be more common in bronchiectasis with bronchial asthma group (P value >0.05). The mean age for onset of symptoms was found to be lower in the bronchiectasis with bronchial asthma group. Patients in the bronchiectasis with bronchial asthma group had a lower mean FEV1 value. Hyperinflation on chest radiograph was found to be 10.90% in bronchiectasis group, and 8.33 % in bronchiectasis with bronchial asthma group. Bilateral bronchiectasis on CT thorax was common in both groups. 17.91% of bronchiectasis patients had coexisting bronchial asthma. Hence, a proper diagnosis can reduce the burden of patients suffering from more frequent exacerbations, with better optimized treatment options.