title: Outcome in adult bronchiectasis.
abstract: The outcome in adult bronchiectasis has not been well described; in particular there has been a lack of long-term prospective studies. Therefore a follow-up study was performed to assess outcome in bronchiectasis in a cohort of adult patients. One hundred-and-one sequential adults, 33 male and 68 female; age 54 +/- 14 years (mean +/- SD) with bronchiectasis had a clinical assessment and spirometry performed. All were non-smokers and 84 were classified as having idiopathic disease. Patients were commenced on a standardized treatment regime and followed up for a minimum period of 2 years. On their last review when patients were clinically stable, a repeat clinical assessment and spirometry was performed and compared with the initial review. The primary endpoints measured were symptoms and FEV1. Subjects were followed up for 8.0 +/- 4.9 years. Clinical review showed that the patients had persistent symptoms that, in the case of dyspnea and sputum volume, were worse on follow-up. Spirometry showed a significant decline in FEV1 over the follow-up period with an average loss of 49 ml per year. This study showed in this group of predominantly female adult patients with bronchiectasis followed up for 8 years, patients had persistent symptoms and an excess loss in FEV1.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Rd., Clayton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Paul.King@med.monash.edu.au
authors.forename: Paul T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Holdsworth
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Freezer
authors.forename: Elmer
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Villanueva
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.forename: Peter W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Holmes
mesh_terms: D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013147:Spirometry; D013997:Time Factors