title: Sputum colour: a useful clinical tool in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.
abstract: This study explored the utility of sputum colour in clinically stable patients with bronchiectasis. Interpretation of sputum colour between the doctor and the patient was reliable (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.76-0.89). Sputum colour predicted bacterial colonisation (5% in mucoid sputum; 43.5% in mucopurulent sputum; 86.4% in purulent sputum; p<0.0001). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent factors associated with purulent sputum were bacterial colonisation, varicose or cystic bronchiectasis, forced expiratory volume in 1 s <80% predicted and diagnosis of bronchiectasis aged <45 yrs.
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Infirmary, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. maevemurray@hotmail.com
authors: M P
authors: MP
authors: Murray
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Pentland
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Turnbull
authors: S
authors: S
authors: MacQuarrie
authors: A T
authors: AT
authors: Hill
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003116:Color; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013183:Sputum / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology*