title: [Bronchiectasis in the elderly. Study of serum levels of immunoglobulin G subclasses].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses in a broad range of elderly patients with bronchiectasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from all patients who had a high-resolution chest computerized axial tomography diagnosis of bronchiectasis in our center. We gathered data related to case history, respiratory symptoms, forced spirometry, general laboratory tests, immunoglobulin concentration (including IgG subclasses), Mantoux test, sputum culture and staining, paranasal sinus X-rays/computerized axial tomography, and a specific etiologic evaluation based on the available clinical evidence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 128 patients were included -mean age (standard deviation): 71.6 (5.1) years; range: 65-88; 44.5% males- and 20.3% of them had chronic sputum colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 28.1% cases had a post-infectious nature and in 40.6% the etiology was unknown. Sixteen patients (12.5%) had decreased levels of at least one of the sIgG compared to normal values. The most frequent deficiency corresponded to IgG2 levels. These subjects showed a characteristic profile of bronchiectasis with an increased lung extension of the disease (p = 0.02); greater presence of cylindrical and diffuse bronchiectasis (p = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively), greater percentage of an unknown etiology (p = 0.004); greater presence of paranasal sinus X-ray abnormalities (p = 0.004) and increased number of past repeated upper airway infections (p = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Decreased serum levels of IgG subclasses might be associated with a characteristic profile of bronchiectasis in elderly patients in whom other etiologies have been ruled out.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Neumología, Hospital General de Requena, Valencia, España. med013413@nacom.es
authors.forename: Miguel Angel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Martínez-García
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Román-Sánchez
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perpiñá-Tordera
authors.forename: Juan José
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Soler-Cataluña
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saura-Vinuesa
authors.forename: Martín
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yago
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Pastor
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G