Impact of different etiologies of bronchiectasis on the pulmonary function tests.
BACKGROUND
Bronchiectasis develops along the natural course of several respiratory and systemic conditions and induces significant changes in the morphofunctional structure of airways. Our objective was to assess the impact of various causes of bronchiectasis on clinical data, pulmonary function tests, and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT).


METHODS
The present report was a cross-sectional study that was conducted with 112 consecutive patients with bronchiectasis, who were allocated to five groups, as follows: sequelae of tuberculosis, history of non-tuberculosis infection, cystic fibrosis (CF), primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), and rheumatoid arthritis. All of the participants underwent spirometry, whole-body plethysmography, measurement of the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco), and HRCT.


RESULTS
The highest HRCT score was exhibited in patients with CF (6.03 ± 1.03). The values of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (52.2 ± 17.7%) and DLco (74.1 ± 15.2%) were lower in patients with sequelae of tuberculosis. The increase in the residual volume was more accentuated in the patients with CF (193.5 ± 39.5%) and PCD (189 ± 36.4%). By the multivariate analysis, the cause of FEV1 and bronchiectasis, HRCT score, and degree of dyspnea behaved as independent predictors of DLco.


CONCLUSIONS
In individuals with bronchiectasis, the pulmonary function abnormalities are associated with the etiology of the underlying disease.
Laboratory of Respiratory Physiology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Rehabilitation Sciences Master's Program, Augusto Motta University Center, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil agnaldolopes.uerj@gmail.com.
Agnaldo José
AJ
Lopes
Department of Radiology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Gustavo Bittencourt
GB
Camilo
Rehabilitation Sciences Master's Program, Augusto Motta University Center, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Sara Lucia Silveira
SL
de Menezes
Rehabilitation Sciences Master's Program, Augusto Motta University Center, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Fernando Silva
FS
Guimarães
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Bronchiectasis; Respiratory function tests; Respiratory mechanics; Tomography