Pulmonary exacerbation in adults with bronchiectasis: a consensus definition for clinical research

Efficacy and safety of tobramycin inhalation powder in bronchiectasis patients with P. aeruginosa infection: Design of a dose-finding study (iBEST-1)

In patients with bronchiectasis (BE), infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) results in disease progression, frequent pulmonary exacerbations and lung function decline. However, at present, no inhaled antibiotics have been approved for the treatment of these patients. Tobramycin inhalation powder (TIP), approved for treatment of Pa infection in cystic fibrosis, could be a promising candidate. We aimed to assess effective and well-tolerated doses and regimens of TIP in BE patients with Pa infection. In this phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised study, three different daily doses of TIP are administered either as continuous or cyclical regimens. The study protocol comprises 7-28 days of screening, 112 days of double-blind treatment and 56 days of follow-up. The plan was to enrol 180 patients (aged ≥18 years) with BE, documented Pa infection and a history of exacerbations. The primary outcome is change in sputum Pa density from baseline. Key secondary outcomes include number of pulmonary exacerbations, use of antipseudomonal antibiotics, serum and sputum tobramycin concentrations, quality of life and safety. Exploratory endpoints include lung clearance index, sputum inflammatory markers and microbiome analysis. As of October 2018, 107/180 patients were enrolled at 34 sites (six countries) following which recruitment was closed for administrative reasons unrelated to safety findings. Despite a reduced sample size from initially planned enrolment, the unique design may inform the benefit-risk profile of TIP in BE patients with chronic Pa infection. Moreover, several novel and exploratory endpoints (lung clearance index, inflammatory biomarkers, lung microbiome), will contribute to the advancement of research in this area.

The microbiome in bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is increasing in prevalence worldwide, yet current treatments available are limited to those alleviating symptoms and reducing exacerbations. The pathogenesis of the disease and the inflammatory, infective and molecular drivers of disease progression are not fully understood, making the development of novel treatments challenging. Understanding the role bacteria play in disease progression has been enhanced by the use of next-generation sequencing techniques such as 16S rRNA sequencing. The microbiome has not been extensively studied in bronchiectasis, but existing data show lung bacterial communities dominated by Pseudomonas, Haemophilus and Streptococcus, while exhibiting intraindividual stability and large interindividual variability. Pseudomonas- and Haemophilus-dominated microbiomes have been shown to be linked to severe disease and frequent exacerbations. Studies completed to date are limited in size and do not fully represent all clinically observed disease subtypes. Further research is required to understand the microbiomes role in bronchiectasis disease progression. This review discusses recent developments and future perspectives on the lung microbiome in bronchiectasis.

Efficacy of oral amoxicillin-clavulanate or azithromycin for non-severe respiratory exacerbations in children with bronchiectasis (BEST-1): a multicentre, three-arm, double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial

Background

Bronchiectasis guidelines recommend antibiotics for the treatment of acute respiratory exacerbations, but randomised placebo-controlled trials in children are lacking. We hypothesised that oral amoxicillin–clavulanate and azithromycin would each be superior to placebo in achieving symptom resolution of non-severe exacerbations in children by day 14 of treatment.

Methods

In this multicentre, three-arm, parallel, double-dummy, double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial at four paediatric centres in Australia and New Zealand, we enrolled children aged 1–18 years with CT-confirmed bronchiectasis unrelated to cystic fibrosis, who were under the care of a respiratory physician and who had had at least two respiratory exacerbations in the 18 months before study entry. Participants were allocated (1:1:1) at exacerbation onset to receive oral suspensions of amoxicillin–clavulanate (45 mg/kg per day) plus placebo azithromycin, azithromycin (5 mg/kg per day) plus placebo amoxicillin–clavulanate, or both placebos for 14 days. An independent statistician prepared a computer-generated, permuted-block (size 2–8) randomisation sequence, stratified by centre, age, and cause. Participants, caregivers, study coordinators, and investigators were masked to treatment assignment until data analysis was completed. The primary outcome was the proportion of children with exacerbation resolution by day 14 in the intention-to-treat population. Treatment groups were compared using generalised linear models. Statistical significance was set at p<0·0245 to account for multiple comparisons. This trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12612000011886) and is completed.

Findings

Between April 17, 2012, and March 1, 2017, 604 children were screened and 252 were enrolled. Between July 31, 2012, and June 26, 2017, 197 children were allocated at the start of an exacerbation (63 to the amoxicillin–clavulanate group, 67 to the azithromycin group, and 67 to the placebo group). Respiratory viruses were identified in 82 (53%) of 154 children with available nasal swabs on day 1 of treatment. Primary outcome data were available for 196 (99%) children (one child with missing data [placebo group] was recorded as non-resolved according to criteria defined a priori). By day 14, exacerbations had resolved in 41 (65%) children in the amoxicillin–clavulanate group, 41 (61%) in the azithromycin group, and 29 (43%) in the placebo group. Compared with placebo, relative risk for resolution by day 14 was 1·50 (95% CI 1·08–2·09, p=0·015; number-needed-to-treat [NNT] 5 [95% CI 3–20]) in the amoxicillin–clavulanate group and 1·41 (1·01–1·97, p=0·042; NNT 6 [3–79]) in the azithromycin group. Adverse events were recorded in 19 (30%) children in the amoxicillin–clavulanate group, 20 (30%) in the azithromycin group, and 14 (21%) in the placebo group, but no events were severe or life-threatening.

Interpretation

Amoxicillin–clavulanate treatment is beneficial in terms of resolution of non-severe exacerbations of bronchiectasis in children, and should remain the first-line oral antibiotic in this setting.

Funding

National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia), Cure Kids (New Zealand).

Brazilian consensus on non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a condition that has been increasingly diagnosed by chest HRCT. In the literature, bronchiectasis is divided into bronchiectasis secondary to cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis not associated with cystic fibrosis, which is termed non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Many causes can lead to the development of bronchiectasis, and patients usually have chronic airway symptoms, recurrent infections, and CT abnormalities consistent with the condition. The first international guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis was published in 2010. In Brazil, this is the first review document aimed at systematizing the knowledge that has been accumulated on the subject to date. Because there is insufficient evidence on which to base recommendations for various treatment topics, here the decision was made to prepare an expert consensus document. The Brazilian Thoracic Association Committee on Respiratory Infections summoned 10 pulmonologists with expertise in bronchiectasis in Brazil to conduct a critical assessment of the available scientific evidence and international guidelines, as well as to identify aspects that are relevant to the understanding of the heterogeneity of bronchiectasis and to its diagnostic and therapeutic management. Five broad topics were established (pathophysiology, diagnosis, monitoring of stable patients, treatment of stable patients, and management of exacerbations). After this subdivision, the topics were distributed among the authors, who conducted a nonsystematic review of the literature, giving priority to major publications in the specific areas, including original articles, review articles, and systematic reviews. The authors reviewed and commented on all topics, producing a single final document that was approved by consensus.

Long-term macrolide antibiotics for the treatment of bronchiectasis in adults: an individual participant data meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Bronchiectasis guidelines recommend long-term macrolide treatment for patients with three or more exacerbations per year without Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Randomised controlled trials suggest that long-term macrolide treatment can prevent exacerbations in adult patients with bronchiectasis, but these individual studies have been too small to do meaningful subgroup analyses. We did a systematic review and individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis to explore macrolide benefit in subpopulations, including those in which macrolide therapy is not currently recommended.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science from Jan 1, 2000, to Sept 30, 2018, to identify double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trials of macrolide antibiotics in adult patients with bronchiectasis. We applied no language restrictions. Randomised controlled trials were eligible if treatment was defined a priori as long term and had a primary or secondary outcome of bronchiectasis exacerbations. Studies in patients with cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis were excluded. The primary outcome of the meta-analysis was frequency of exacerbations requiring treatment with antibiotics. Secondary endpoints were time to first exacerbation, change in quality of life according to the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and change in FEV₁. IPD meta-analysis was done using fixed effects models adjusting for age, sex, FEV₁, and trial. We did prespecified subgroup analyses for each of the primary and secondary endpoints using one-step meta-analysis only. Subgroups were defined by age, sex, previous exacerbation frequency, smoking status, inhaled corticosteroid use at baseline, body-mass index at baseline, cause, C-reactive protein at baseline, baseline FEV₁ percentage of predicted, SGRQ total score, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in sputum culture at baseline. The meta-analysis is registered with the PROSPERO international register of systematic reviews, number CRD42018102908.

FINDINGS

Of 234 identified studies, we included three randomised controlled trials, and IPD was obtained for 341 participants. Macrolide antibiotics reduced the frequency of exacerbations (adjusted incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0·49, 95% CI 0·36 to 0·66; p<0·0001). We also found that macrolide treatment improved the time to first exacerbation (adjusted hazard ratio 0·46, 0·34 to 0·61; p<0·0001) and was associated with improved quality of life measured by the SGRQ (mean improvement 2·93 points, 0·03 to 5·83; p=0·048). Macrolides were not associated with a significant improvement in FEV₁ (67 mL at 1 year, -22 to 112; p=0·14). Effect estimates in prespecified subgroup analyses revealed a reduced frequency of exacerbations in all prespecified subgroups, including a high level of benefit in patients with P aeruginosa infection (IRR 0·36, 0·18-0·72; p=0·0044) and in patients with one to two exacerbations per year (0·37, 0·16-0·88; p=0·025). Studies were rated as low risk of bias across all domains.

INTERPRETATION

Long-term macrolide treatment significantly reduces the frequency of exacerbations in patients with bronchiectasis, with similar benefits observed in all subgroups based on patient characteristics. This finding suggests that macrolides might be considered in patients in whom macrolides are not indicated according to the current guidelines, particularly if alternative approaches to reduce exacerbations have been unsuccessful. However, downsides of long-term macrolide treatment must also be taken into account.

FUNDING

European Respiratory Society.

The efficacy and safety of inhaled antibiotics for the treatment of bronchiectasis in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Although use of inhaled antibiotics is the standard of care in cystic fibrosis, there is insufficient evidence to support use of inhaled antibiotics in patients with bronchiectasis not due to cystic fibrosis. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of inhaled antibiotics for the long-term treatment of adults with bronchiectasis and chronic respiratory tract infections.

METHODS

We did a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomised controlled trials of inhaled-antibiotic use in adult patients with bronchiectasis and chronic respiratory tract infections. Eligible publications were identified by searching MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Randomised controlled trials of inhaled antibiotics were included if the patients were adults with stable bronchiectasis diagnosed by CT or bronchography, the trials had treatment a duration of at least 4 weeks, and their outcomes met at least one of the endpoints of interest. Studies in cystic fibrosis were excluded. Efficacy endpoints assessed were bacterial load, bacterial eradication from sputum, frequency of exacerbations, time to first exacerbation, proportion of patients with at least one exacerbation, frequency of severe exacerbations, quality of life, change in FEV₁, 6-min walk distance, mortality, adherence to treatment, and sputum volume; safety endpoints were adverse events and bacterial resistance in sputum. Each study was independently reviewed for methodological quality using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool individual studies. Heterogeneity was assessed using I². The review is registered on PROSPERO, number CRD42019122892.

FINDINGS

16 trials (n=2597 patients) were included for analysis. The mean reduction of colony forming units per g of sputum with inhaled antibiotics was -2·32 log units (95% CI -3·20 to -1·45; p<0·0001). Bacterial eradication was increased with inhaled antibiotic therapy (odds ratio [OR] 3·36, 1·63 to 6·91; p=0·0010). Inhaled antibiotics significantly reduced exacerbation frequency (rate ratio 0·81, 0·67 to 0·97; p=0·020). Time to first exacerbation was significantly prolonged with inhaled antibiotics (hazard ratio 0·83, 0·69 to 0·99; p=0·028). The proportion of patients with at least one exacerbation decreased (risk ratio 0·85, 0·74 to 0·97; p=0·015). There was a significant reduction in the frequency of severe exacerbations (rate ratio 0·43, 0·24 to 0·78; p=0·0050). The scores for neither the Quality of Life Bronchiectasis questionnaire nor St George's Respiratory Questionnaire improved above the minimal clinically important difference. The relative change in FEV₁ was a deterioration of 0·87% predicted value (-2·00 to 0·26%; p=0·13). Other efficacy endpoints were reported in only few studies or had few events. There was no difference in treatment-emergent adverse effects (OR 0·97, 0·67 to 1·40; p=0·85) or bronchospasm (0·99, 0·66 to 1·48; p=0·95). Emergence of bacterial resistance was evident at the end of the treatment period (risk ratio 1·91, 1·46 to 2·49; p<0·0001).

INTERPRETATION

Inhaled antibiotics are well tolerated, reduce bacterial load, and achieve a small but statistically significant reduction in exacerbation frequency without clinically significant improvements in quality of life in patients with bronchiectasis and chronic respiratory tract infections.

FUNDING

British Lung Foundation through the GSK/British Lung Foundation Chair of Respiratory Research and European Respiratory Society through the EMBARC2 consortium. EMBARC2 is supported by project partners Chiesi, Grifols, Insmed, Novartis, and Zambon.

Bronchiectasis and cough: An old relationship in need of renewed attention

Bronchiectasis is an increasingly recognised respiratory condition with limited therapeutic options and a complex spectrum of clinical manifestations that invariably includes chronic cough. As the primary presentation of bronchiectasis in most cases, chronic cough and its mechanistic underpinnings are of central importance but remain poorly understood in this setting. Bronchiectasis is also increasingly identified as an underlying cause of chronic cough highlighting the interrelationship between the two conditions that share overlapping clinical features. Several therapeutic approaches have illustrated positive effects on bronchiectasis-associated cough, however, more focused treatment of heterogeneous cough subtypes may yield better outcomes for patients. A current challenge is the identification of bronchiectasis and cough endophenotypes that may allow improved patient stratification and more targeted therapeutic matching of the right treatment to the right patient. Here we discuss the complex disease phenotypes of bronchiectasis and their interrelationship with cough while considering current and emerging treatment options. We discuss some key cough promoters in bronchiectasis including infection, allergy and immune dysfunction.

Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Treatment for Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis Exacerbations: A Prospective Multicentre Observational Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The recently published guidelines of the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery encourage physicians to use outpatient antimicrobial therapy to treat exacerbations in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB). The published literature on this topic, however, is scarce.

METHODS

We report a prospective observational cohort study of patients with NCFB who received treatment at home for at least one exacerbation episode between September 2012 and September 2017 as part of an outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) program. Patients were included in the analysis if they fulfilled all of the following criteria: established diagnosis of bronchiectasis according to current guidelines criteria, clinical exacerbation, requiring intravenous antibiotics because of failure to respond to oral antibiotics, or isolation of a microorganism resistant to oral options.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the treatment of patients with NCFB exacerbations in an OPAT program under "real-world" conditions.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven patients were treated in the OPAT program due to bacterial exacerbations of NCFB. Forty-five (67.2%) patients were admitted to hospital for a median of 7 days before starting OPAT. Sixty-three (94%) patients achieved resolution of the exacerbation at the end of therapy. Four patients needed hospital readmission, and one died. The OPAT program saved 11,586 days of hospital admission, equivalent to EUR 7,866,904.

CONCLUSIONS

OPAT appears to be a safe, effective, and efficient strategy for treating patients with exacerbations of NCFB.

Management of bronchiectasis in adults

Once neglected in research and underappreciated in practice, there is renewed interest in bronchiectasis unrelated to cystic fibrosis. Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease characterised by chronic cough, sputum production and recurrent pulmonary exacerbations. It is diagnosed radiologically on high resolution computed tomography chest scan by bronchial dilatation (wider than the accompanying artery). The causes of bronchiectasis are diverse and include previous respiratory tract infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, immunodeficiency and connective tissue diseases. A large proportion of cases are idiopathic, reflecting our incomplete understanding of disease pathogenesis. Progress in the evidence base is reflected in the 2017 European management guidelines and the 2015 update to the Australian guidelines. Effective airway clearance remains the cornerstone of bronchiectasis management. This should be personalised and reviewed regularly by a respiratory physiotherapist. There is now robust evidence for the long term use of oral macrolide antibiotics in selected patients to reduce exacerbation frequency. The routine use of long term inhaled corticosteroids and/or long-acting bronchodilators should be avoided, unless concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma exists. The evidence for nebulised agents including hypertonic saline, mannitol and antibiotics is evolving; however, access is challenging outside tertiary clinics, and nebulising equipment is required. Smokers should be supported to quit. All patients should receive influenza and pneumococcal vaccination. Patients with impaired exercise capacity should attend pulmonary rehabilitation. There is an important minority of patients for whom aetiology-specific treatment exists. The prevalence of bronchiectasis is increasing worldwide; however, the burden of disease within Australia is not well defined. To this end, the Australian Bronchiectasis Registry began recruitment in 2016 and is interoperable with the European and United States bronchiectasis registries to enable collaborative research. The recent addition of a bronchiectasis diagnosis-related group to the Australian Refined Diagnostic Related Group classification system will allow definition of the disease burden within the Australian hospital system.

A point-of-care neutrophil elastase activity assay identifies bronchiectasis severity, airway infection and risk of exacerbation

INTRODUCTION

Neutrophil elastase activity in sputum can identify patients at high risk of airway infection and exacerbations in bronchiectasis. Application of this biomarker in clinical practice is limited, because no point-of-care test is available. We tested whether a novel semi-quantitative lateral flow device (neutrophil elastase airway test stick - NEATstik®) can stratify bronchiectasis patients according to severity, airway infection and exacerbation risk.

METHODS

Sputum samples from 124 patients with stable bronchiectasis enrolled in the UK and Spain were tested using the NEATstik®, which scores neutrophil elastase concentration from 0 (<8 µg·mL-1 elastase activity) to 10 (maximum detectable neutrophil elastase activity). High neutrophil elastase activity was regarded as a NEATstik® grade >6. Severity of disease, airway infection from sputum culture and exacerbations over the 12 months were recorded. An independent validation was conducted in 50 patients from Milan, Italy.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Patients had a median age of 69 years and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) 69%. High neutrophil elastase activity was associated with worse bronchiectasis severity using the bronchiectasis severity index (p=0.0007) and FEV1 (p=0.02). A high NEATstik® grade was associated with a significant increase in exacerbation frequency, incident rate ratio 2.75 (95% CI 1.63-4.64, p<0.001). The median time to next exacerbation for patients with a NEATstik® grade >6 was 103 days compared to 278 days. The hazard ratio was 2.59 (95% CI 1.71-3.94, p<0.001). Results were confirmed in the independent validation cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

A novel lateral flow device provides assessment of neutrophil elastase activity from sputum in minutes and identifies patients at increasing risk of airway infection and future exacerbations.

Pulmonary rehabilitation after exacerbation of bronchiectasis: a pilot randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary rehabilitation improves exercise capacity and reduces risk of future exacerbation in COPD when performed after an exacerbation. There have been no previous studies of post-exacerbation rehabilitation in bronchiectasis.

METHODS

Parallel group randomized controlled trial compared pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) to standard care (SC) in patients followed an antibiotic treated exacerbation of bronchiectasis. Patients were randomized following a 14 day course of antibiotics was completed. The primary outcome was 6-min walk distance (6 MW) at 8 weeks. Secondary outcomes were time to the next exacerbation, St.Georges Respiratory Questionnaire, COPD CAT score, Leicester cough questionnaire (LCQ) and FEV1 at 8 and 12 weeks post exacerbation.

RESULTS

Forty eight patients were enrolled but only 27 had exacerbations within 12 months of enrolment. Nine patients received pulmonary rehabilitation and 18 received standard care. The 6 MW improved significantly from post-exacerbation to 8 weeks in both groups, with no significant difference between PR and SC- mean difference of 11 m (95% CI -34.3 to 56.3,p = 0.6). Time to the next exacerbation was not significantly different hazard ratio 0.83 (0.31-2.19, p = 0.7). No significant differences were seen between groups in terms of LCQ, CAT, FEV1 or SGRQ between groups. An analysis of probability based on the patients enrolled suggested > 1000 subjects are likely be required to have an > 80% probability of observing a statistically significant difference between PR and SC and any such differences would be likely to be too small to be clinically relevant.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study identified no significant benefits associated with pulmonary rehabilitation after exacerbations of bronchiectasis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT02179983, registered on Clinicaltrials.gov 29th June 2014.

Employment of an algorithm of care including chest physiotherapy results in reduced hospitalizations and stability of lung function in bronchiectasis

Background

There is a paucity of data on long term clinical effects of high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) in the Bronchiectasis population. Other therapies such as nebulized mucolytics and long term antibiotics have proven benefit on quality of life and exacerbation rate. In this study a treatment algorithm that included HFCWO as a component was initiated to see what the long term effects of the proposed algorithm were on lung function, antibiotic use, and exacerbation rates.

Methods

This was an observational comparative retrospective cohort study from database of patients with Bronchiectasis. Patients with > 2 exacerbations and significant symptom burden were enrolled to receive a treatment algorithm. The algorithm included: nebulized bronchodilators, mucolytics (hypertonic saline (3–7%) or n-acetylcysteine) inhaled daily or twice daily, thrice weekly macrolide therapy when appropriate, and high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) therapy (daily to twice daily per issued protocol) Outcomes from the cohort were analyzed for the subsequent twelve months after initiation to observe longitudinal lung function and clinical outcomes. Chart review was then done to obtain data the year prior to the start of the algorithm in this same cohort of patients.

Results

Sixty-five patients received the Smart Vest® HFCWO system and were enrolled into the algorithm for treatment during the study period. Of the sixty-five patients, forty-three were eligible due to adequate 1-year baseline and follow up data at the time of the study initiation. The mean FEV₁ remained stable at 1-year post enrollment (1.85 ± 0.60 L pre vs 1.89 ± 0.60 L post, p = NS) and the number of exacerbations requiring hospitalization was reduced (1.3 ± 1.0 pre vs. 0.46 ± 0.81 hospitalizations, post initiation, p < 0.0001). Antibiotic use overall was also reduced (2.5 ± 0.86 courses/year pre vs 2.1 ± 0.92 courses per year post initiation, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Standardized care for Bronchiectasis involving an algorithm for Mucociliary clearance that centers on initiation of HFCWO may help to reduce lung function decline, need for oral antibiotics, and reduced hospitalization rate.

Effect of N-acetylcysteine on exacerbations of bronchiectasis (BENE): a randomized controlled trial

Background

N-acetylcysteine is a classic mucolytic agent. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine on reducing the risk of exacerbations in bronchiectasis patients.

Methods

A prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted between April 1, 2014 and December 31, 2016 in five general hospitals in Shandong Province, China. Adult bronchiectasis patients with at least two exacerbations in the past year were potentially eligible. Patients were randomly assigned to receive oral N-acetylcysteine (600 mg, twice daily, 12 months) or on-demand treatment.

Results

A total of 161 patients were eligible for randomization (81 to the N-acetylcysteine group and 80 to the control group). During the 12-month follow-up, the incidence of exacerbations in the N-acetylcysteine group was significantly lower than that in the control group (1.31 vs. 1.98 exacerbations per patient-year; risk ratio, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.17–0.66; P = 0.0011). The median number of exacerbations in the N-acetylcysteine group was 1 (0.5–2), compared with 2 (1–2) in the control group (U = − 2.95, P = 0.003). A total of 24.7% of the N-acetylcysteine group patients and 11.3% of the control group patients remained exacerbation-free throughout the 12-month follow-up (χ² = 4.924, P = 0.026). Compared with the control group, the volume of 24-h sputum in the N-acetylcysteine group was significantly reduced (t = − 3.091, P = 0.002). Additionally, the N-acetylcysteine group showed a significant improvement in the quality of life. No severe adverse events were reported in the intervention group.

Conclusion

The long-term use of N-acetylcysteine is able to reduce the risk of exacerbations for bronchiectasis patients in Shandong Province, China. The results of this study should be verified in a larger randomized controlled trial.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02088216) (Registered date: March 5, 2014).

Personalised anti-inflammatory therapy for bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis: selecting patients for controlled trials of neutrophil elastase inhibition

Background

Neutrophil elastase (NE) has been linked to lung neutrophil dysfunction in bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis (CF), making NE inhibition a potential therapeutic target. NE inhibitor trials have given mixed result perhaps because not all patients have elevated airway NE activity.

Methods

We tested whether a single baseline sputum NE measurement or a combination of clinical parameters could enrich patient populations with elevated NE activity for "personalised medicine". Intra- and interindividual variations of total and active NE levels in induced sputum from patients with CF or bronchiectasis were monitored over 14 days. Patients with established CF and bronchiectasis (n=5 per group) were recruited. NE was measured using three different methods: one total and two active NE assays. Subsequently, we analysed the association between clinical parameters and NE from a large bronchiectasis cohort study (n=381).

Results

All three assays showed a high degree of day-to-day variability (0-233% over 14 days). There were strong correlations found between all assays (p<0.0001). Despite high day-to-day variability, patients could be stratified into "high" or "low" groups based on moderate cut-off levels. In the bronchiectasis cohort study, factors most associated with high sputum NE levels were: Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection (β-estimate 11.5, 95% CI -6.0-29.0), sputum colour (β-estimate 10.4, 95% CI 4.3-16.6), Medical Research Council dyspnoea score (β-estimate 6.4, 95% CI 1.4-11.4) and exacerbation history (β-estimate 3.4, 95% CI 1.4-5.3). Collectively, P. aeruginosa infection, sputum colour and exacerbation frequency provided the greatest specificity for "high" NE (98.7%, 95% CI 7.0-99.6%).

Conclusion

These results show that patients with bronchiectasis and CF can be effectively divided into "high" or "low" groups, based on sputum NE assays or clinical inclusion criteria.

Bronchiectasis insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results?

Bronchiectasis is an increasingly common disease with a significant impact on quality of life and morbidity of affected patients. It is also a very heterogeneous disease with numerous different underlying etiologies and presentations. Most treatments for bronchiectasis are based on low-quality evidence; consequently, no treatments have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration or the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of bronchiectasis. The last several years have seen numerous clinical trials in which the investigational agent, thought to hold great promise, did not demonstrate a clinically or statistically significant benefit. This commentary will review the likely reasons for these disappointing results and a potential approach that may have a greater likelihood of defining evidence-based treatment for bronchiectasis.

Chronic Bacterial Infection Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Characteristics: A Bronchiectasis Population-Based Prospective Study

BACKGROUND

Few data are available on chronic bacterial infections (CBI) in bronchiectasis patients. Given that CBI seems to trigger longer hospital stays, worse outcomes, and morbimortality, this study was undertaken to assess CBI prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors in outpatients with bronchiectasis.

METHODS

A total of 186 patients followed in a bronchiectasis tertiary referral centre in Portugal were included. Demographic data and information on aetiology, smoking history, mMRC score, Bronchiectasis Severity Index (BSI) score, sputum characteristics, lung function, exacerbations, and radiological involvement degree were collected.

RESULTS

Patients included (mean age 54.7 ± 16.2 years; 60.8% females) were followed up for a period of 3.8 ± 1.7 years. The most common cause of bronchiectasis was infection (31.7%) followed by immune deficiencies (11.8%), whereas in 29% of cases, no cause was identified. Haemophilus influenzae (32.3%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (30.1%) were the most common CBI-associated possible pathogenic microorganisms. CBI patients presented a higher follow-up time than no-CBI patients (p = 0.003), worse lung function, BSI (p < 0.001), and radiological (p < 0.001) scores, and more prominent daily sputum production (p = 0.002), estimated mean volume (p < 0.001), and purulent sputum (p < 0.001). The number of exacerbations/year (p = 0.001), including those requiring hospital admission (p = 0.009), were also higher in the CBI group. Independent CBI predictors were BSI score (OR 3.577, 95% CI 1.233⁻10.378), sputum characteristics (OR 3.306, 95% CI 1.107⁻9.874), and radiological score (OR 1.052, 95% CI 1.004⁻1.102).

CONCLUSION

According to the CBI status, two different sub-groups of patients were found on the basis of several clinical outcomes, emphasizing the importance of routine sputum microbiological monitoring. Further studies are needed to better characterize CBI profiles and to define the individual clinical impact of the most prevalent pathogenic microorganisms.

Early management of COPD: where are we now and where do we go from here? A Delphi consensus project

PURPOSE

There is a lack of consensus on the most appropriate early diagnostic strategy, criteria for early access to treatment and follow-up approach for patients with COPD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A Delphi consensus project investigated the early management of COPD. We formulated two questionnaires for completion by pneumologists in Italy.

RESULTS

A total of 207 specialists completed questionnaire 1 and 184 of them questionnaire 2, between November 2016 and October 2017. Early diagnosis of COPD was considered uncommon for 93.2% of the expert panel. Regardless of the definition of "early diagnosis" - a diagnosis made before the clinical manifestation of the disease for most responders (60.4%) - experts were confident of the positive effects of early disease management, which they consider is effective in modifying the natural history of the disease. Lack of awareness of the disease was considered the first limiting factor to early COPD management for 78% of respondents. The most effective steps to reduce functional decline were considered to be smoking cessation, followed by long-acting β2-agonist (LABA)/long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), LAMA, LABA, and finally inhaled corticosteroid/LABA (P<0.01 for each paired comparison). Specialists considered it "inappropriate" for general practitioners to perform both the early diagnosis and therapy of COPD without the involvement of a specialist.

CONCLUSION

Early management of COPD is uncommon, and although data on the effects of early disease management on long-term outcomes are limited, Italian experts are confident of the clinical efficacy of this approach.

Pulmonary exacerbations in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia: an expert consensus definition for use in clinical trials

Pulmonary exacerbations are a cause of significant morbidity in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and are frequently used as an outcome measure in clinical research into chronic lung diseases. So far, there has been no consensus on the definition of pulmonary exacerbations in PCD.

30 multidisciplinary experts and patients developed a consensus definition for children and adults with PCD. Following a systematic review, the panel used a modified Delphi process with a combination of face-to-face meetings and e-surveys to develop a definition that can be used in research settings for children and adults with PCD.

A pulmonary exacerbation was defined by the presence of three or more of the following seven items: 1) increased cough, 2) change in sputum volume and/or colour, 3) increased shortness of breath perceived by the patient or parent, 4) decision to start or change antibiotic treatment because of perceived pulmonary symptoms, 5) malaise, tiredness, fatigue or lethargy, 6) new or increased haemoptysis, and 7) temperature >38°C.

The consensus panel proposed that the definition should be used for future clinical trials. The definition should be validated and the usability assessed during these studies.

A consensus definition for pulmonary exacerbations in children and adults with PCD for use in clinical trialshttp://ow.ly/Rcfr30n4Gn4

Paediatric and adult bronchiectasis: Monitoring, cross-infection, role of multidisciplinary teams and self-management plans

Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease associated with structurally abnormal bronchi, clinically manifested by a persistent wet/productive cough, airway infections and recurrent exacerbations. Early identification and treatment of acute exacerbations is an integral part of monitoring and annual review, in both adults and children, to minimize further damage due to infection and inflammation. Common modalities used to monitor disease progression include clinical signs and symptoms, frequency of exacerbations and/or number of hospital admissions, lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁ )% predicted), imaging (radiological severity of disease) and sputum microbiology (chronic infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa). There is good evidence that these monitoring tools can be used to accurately assess severity of disease and predict prognosis in terms of mortality and future hospitalization. Other tools that are currently used in research settings such as health-related quality of life (QoL) questionnaires, magnetic resonance imaging and lung clearance index can be burdensome and require additional expertise or resource, which limits their use in clinical practice. Studies have demonstrated that cross-infection, especially with P. aeruginosa between patients with bronchiectasis is possible but infrequent. This should not limit participation of patients in group activities such as pulmonary rehabilitation, and simple infection control measures should be carried out to limit the risk of cross-transmission. A multidisciplinary approach to care which includes respiratory physicians, chest physiotherapists, nurse specialists and other allied health professionals are vital in providing holistic care. Patient education and personalized self-management plans are also important despite limited evidence it improves QoL or frequency of exacerbations.

Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis refers to abnormal dilatation of the bronchi. Airway dilatation can lead to failure of mucus clearance and increased risk of infection. Pathophysiological mechanisms of bronchiectasis include persistent bacterial infections, dysregulated immune responses, impaired mucociliary clearance and airway obstruction. These mechanisms can interact and self-perpetuate, leading over time to impaired lung function. Patients commonly present with productive cough and recurrent chest infections, and the diagnosis of bronchiectasis is based on clinical symptoms and radiological findings. Bronchiectasis can be the result of several different underlying disorders, and identifying the aetiology is crucial to guide management. Treatment is directed at reducing the frequency of exacerbations, improving quality of life and preventing disease progression. Although no therapy is licensed for bronchiectasis by regulatory agencies, evidence supports the effectiveness of airway clearance techniques, antibiotics and mucolytic agents, such as inhaled isotonic or hypertonic saline, in some patients. Bronchiectasis is a disabling disease with an increasing prevalence and can affect individuals of any age. A major challenge is the application of emerging phenotyping and endotyping techniques to identify the patient populations who would most benefit from a specific treatment, with the goal of better targeting existing and emerging treatments and achieving better outcomes.

Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is an important clinical syndrome because of its increasing prevalence, substantial economic burden on health care, and associated morbidity. Until recently, the disease was considered an orphan and essentially neglected from a therapeutic standpoint, but many recent advances have been made in the field. Several national registries have formed to provide databases from which to study patients with bronchiectasis. Experts published a consensus definition of a bronchiectasis-specific exacerbation that will serve as a unified definition for future clinical trials. Several inhaled antibiotic trials aimed at reducing exacerbation frequency have been completed. Researchers have investigated nonculture techniques, such as 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and whole genome sequencing, to characterize the microbiological characteristics. Studies of anti-Pseudomonas antibodies are providing interesting insight into varying host responses to chronic Pseudomonas infection. After three successful trials demonstrating that macrolides reduce exacerbations in bronchiectasis, other antiinflammatory agents have been investigated, and a trial of a novel antiinflammatory drug is ongoing. A relatively robust study has been published in airway clearance, a therapy that is accepted universally as beneficial but that has never been accompanied by strong evidence. To build on the successes with bronchiectasis thus far, investigators must develop better definitions of phenotypes of bronchiectasis. In this regard, clinical tools have been developed to quantify disease severity and predict prognosis. Studies of different clinical phenotypes of bronchiectasis in patients with bronchiectasis have been published. With continued advances in the field of bronchiectasis, there is hope that evidenced-based therapies will become available.

Validation of the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test as a Clinical End Point in Bronchiectasis

BACKGROUND

A validated clinical end point is needed to assess response to therapies in bronchiectasis.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to assess the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) as a clinical end point in bronchiectasis.

METHODS

In clinically stable patients (n = 30), the ISWT was performed twice, 6 months apart. Correlation between the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the ISWT (n = 94) was performed. The 1-year gentamicin study was reanalyzed to assess the area under the curve (percent change of ISWT with a ≥ 4 unit improvement in total SGRQ). ISWT was performed prior to and following 14 days of antibiotics for an exacerbation (94 oral courses and 30 IV courses, n = 124) and reanalysis of the 1-year gentamicin study (n = 57).

RESULTS

The ISWT did not significantly change over 6 months while clinically stable. The ISWT correlated inversely with the SGRQ (rs = -0.60; P < .0001), Bronchiectasis Severity Index score (rs = -0.44; P < .0001), and sedentary time (rs = -0.48; P = .0007) but correlated with physical activity (rs = 0.42; P = .004). The area under the curve for percent change in ISWT with ≥ 4 unit improvement in SGRQ was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.66-0.91; P = .001). A threshold of 5% improvement in the ISWT had a 92% sensitivity but 50% specificity, and from the responsiveness studies would capture 73% of all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed the ISWT to be reliable, valid, and responsive to change in patients with bronchiectasis. The authors propose that a minimum clinically important difference of 5% improvement in the ISWT would be a useful objective end point to assess therapies in bronchiectasis.

Medical management of bronchiectasis

The medical management of bronchiectasis includes confirming the diagnosis of the disease, evaluating the patient for possible underlying etiologies and then properly assessing the patient for appropriate therapies. Patients with bronchiectasis are heterogeneous and a personalized approach to each patient is needed in order to properly formulate an optimal management plan.

Bronchiectasis: Treatment decisions for pulmonary exacerbations and their prevention

Interest in bronchiectasis has increased over the past two decades, as shown by the establishment of disease-specific registries in several countries, the publication of management guidelines and a growing number of clinical trials to address evidence gaps for treatment decisions. This review considers the evidence for defining and treating pulmonary exacerbations, the approaches for eradication of newly identified airway pathogens and the methods to prevent exacerbations through long-term treatments from a pragmatic practice-based perspective. Areas for future studies are also explored. Watch the video abstract.

Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in the elderly: current perspectives

Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease with permanently damaged airways predisposing to recurrent respiratory tract infections. There is an increasing prevalence of bronchiectasis in the elderly, affecting approximately 10 patients per 1,000 population. Studies have shown that older, frailer patients tend to have a more severe and symptomatic disease, with those aged 80 and above with worse quality of life, increased hospitalization and increased mortality. These patients will be encountered by clinicians working in all aspects of elderly care. This review covers the various investigations and aspects of treatment for bronchiectasis and how they may be utilized in a more older and generally frailer population.

Advances in bronchiectasis: endotyping, genetics, microbiome, and disease heterogeneity

Bronchiectasis is characterised by pathological dilation of the airways. More specifically, the radiographic demonstration of airway enlargement is the common feature of a heterogeneous set of conditions and clinical presentations. No approved therapies exist for the condition other than for bronchiectasis caused by cystic fibrosis. The heterogeneity of bronchiectasis is a major challenge in clinical practice and the main reason for difficulty in achieving endpoints in clinical trials. Recent observations of the past 2 years have improved the understanding of physicians regarding bronchiectasis, and have indicated that it might be more effective to classify patients in a different way. Patients could be categorised according to a heterogeneous group of endotypes (defined by a distinct functional or pathobiological mechanism) or by clinical phenotypes (defined by relevant and common features of the disease). In doing so, more specific therapies needed to effectively treat patients might finally be developed. Here, we describe some of the recent advances in endotyping, genetics, and disease heterogeneity of bronchiectasis including observations related to the microbiome.

Head-to-head trials of antibiotics for bronchiectasis

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of bronchiectasis is defined by abnormal dilation of the airways related to a pathological mechanism of progressive airway destruction that is due to a 'vicious cycle' of recurrent bacterial infection, inflammatory mediator release, airway damage, and subsequent further infection. Antibiotics are the main treatment option for reducing bacterial burden in people with exacerbations of bronchiectasis and for longer-term eradication, but their use is tempered against potential adverse effects and concerns regarding antibiotic resistance. The comparative effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and safety of different antibiotics have been highlighted as important issues, but currently little evidence is available to help resolve uncertainty on these questions.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the comparative effects of different antibiotics in the treatment of adults and children with bronchiectasis.

SEARCH METHODS

We identified randomised controlled trials (RCTs) through searches of the Cochrane Airways Group Register of trials and online trials registries, run 30 April 2018. We augmented these with searches of the reference lists of published studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included RCTs reported as full-text articles, those published as abstracts only, and unpublished data. We included adults and children (younger than 18 years) with a diagnosis of bronchiectasis by bronchography or high-resolution computed tomography who reported daily signs and symptoms, such as cough, sputum production, or haemoptysis, and those with recurrent episodes of chest infection; we included studies that compared one antibiotic versus another when they were administered by the same delivery method.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed trial selection, data extraction, and risk of bias. We assessed overall quality of the evidence using GRADE criteria. We made efforts to collect missing data from trial authors. We have presented results with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as mean differences (MDs) or odds ratios (ORs).

MAIN RESULTS

Four randomised trials were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review - two studies with 83 adults comparing fluoroquinolones with β-lactams and two studies with 55 adults comparing aminoglycosides with polymyxins.None of the included studies reported information on exacerbations - one of our primary outcomes. Included studies reported no serious adverse events - another of our primary outcomes - and no deaths. We graded this evidence as low or very low quality. Included studies did not report quality of life. Comparison between fluoroquinolones and β-lactams (amoxicillin) showed fewer treatment failures in the fluoroquinolone group than in the amoxicillin group (OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.32; low-quality evidence) after 7 to 10 days of therapy. Researchers reported that Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection was eradicated in more participants treated with fluoroquinolones (Peto OR 20.09, 95% CI 2.83 to 142.59; low-quality evidence) but provided no evidence of differences in the numbers of participants showing improvement in sputum purulence (OR 2.35, 95% CI 0.96 to 5.72; very low-quality evidence). Study authors presented no evidence of benefit in relation to forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁). The two studies that compared polymyxins versus aminoglycosides described no clear differences between groups in the proportion of participants with P aeruginosa eradication (OR 1.40. 95% CI 0.36 to 5.35; very low-quality evidence) or improvement in sputum purulence (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.01 to 3.85; very low-quality evidence). The evidence for changes in FEV₁ was inconclusive. Two of three trials reported adverse events but did not report the proportion of participants experiencing one or more adverse events, so we were unable to interpret the information.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Limited low-quality evidence favours short-term oral fluoroquinolones over beta-lactam antibiotics for patients hospitalised with exacerbations. Very low-quality evidence suggests no benefit from inhaled aminoglycosides verus polymyxins. RCTs have presented no evidence comparing other modes of delivery for each of these comparisons, and no RCTs have included children. Overall, current evidence from a limited number of head-to-head trials in adults or children with bronchiectasis is insufficient to guide the selection of antibiotics for short-term or long-term therapy. More research on this topic is needed.

Prognostic Value of Frequent Exacerbations in Bronchiectasis: The Relationship With Disease Severity

INTRODUCTION

Bronchiectasis is a very heterogeneous disease but some homogeneous groups with similar clinical characteristics and prognosis have been identified. Exacerbations have been shown to have a negative impact on the natural history of bronchiectasis. The objective of this study was to identify the definition and characteristics of the "frequent exacerbator patient" with the best prognostic value and its relationship with the severity of bronchiectasis.

METHODS

A historical cohort of 651 patients diagnosed with bronchiectasis was included. They had all received 5 years of follow-up since their radiological diagnosis. Exacerbation was defined as a worsening of the symptoms derived from bronchiectasis that required antibiotic treatment. The main outcome was all-cause mortality at the end of follow-up.

RESULTS

The mean age was 48.2 (16) years (32.9% males). 39.8% had chronic infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Mean BSI, FACED, and E-FACED were 7 (4.12), 2.36 (1.68), and 2.89 (2.03), respectively. There were 95 deaths during follow-up. The definition of the "frequent exacerbator patient" that presented the greatest predictive power for mortality was based on at least two exacerbations/year or one hospitalization/year (23.3% of patients; AUC-ROC: 0.75 [95% CI: 0.69-0.81]). Its predictive power was independent of the patient's initial severity. The clinical characteristics of the frequent exacerbator patient according to this definition varied according to the initial severity of bronchiectasis, presence of systemic inflammation, and treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of two exacerbations or one hospitalization per year is the definition of frequent exacerbator patient that has the best predictive value of mortality independent of the initial severity of bronchiectasis.

Assessing effects of inhaled antibiotics in adults with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis--experiences from recent clinical trials

INTRODUCTION

Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) results from a permanent and progressive destruction of the airways leading to poor lung function. NCFB is characterized by recurrent lung infection, sputum production, and cough, often requiring long-term antibiotic therapy and hospitalization. At present, there are no approved therapies available. Clinical trials of inhaled antibiotics have shown promise against sputum bacterial load, but mixed results on clinical outcomes. Areas covered: The objective of this review is to provide an overview of NCFB and critically evaluate the evidence supporting the outcome measures used in recent clinical trials of inhaled antibiotics. These include quantitative changes in bacterial load, sputum purulence and yield, inflammatory markers, and lung function, as well as clinical changes in exacerbations, exacerbation frequency, hospitalizations, and health-related quality of life. Expert commentary: Recently completed large trials of inhaled antibiotics in NCFB did not consistently meet pre-specified end points, suggesting that we have not yet found the best enrollment criteria or outcome measures to evaluate efficacy, although reduced exacerbation frequency may be clinically most meaningful. Future trials may focus on specific patient populations at high risk with new information obtained through analyses of large international patient registries.

ABBREVIATIONS

6-MWT: Six-Minute Walk Test; AIR-BX: Aztreonam for Inhalation Solution in Patients with Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis trial; BSI: Bronchiectasis Severity Index; CAT: COPD Assessment Test; CF: Cystic Fibrosis; CFTR: Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; CFU: Colony-Forming Units; COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; CRP: C-Reactive Protein; DPI: Dry Powder for Inhalation; EMA: European Medicines Agency; ERS: European Respiratory Society; FACED: FEV1, Age, Chronic colonization by P. aeruginosa, Extension of bronchiectasis and Dyspnea; FDA: US Food and Drug Administration; FEV₁: Forced Expiration in 1 s; FVC: Forced Vital Capacity; HFCC: High-Frequency Chest Compression; HRCT: High-Resolution Computed Tomography; HRQoL: Health-Related Quality of Life; LCQ: Leicester Cough Questionnaire; MID: Minimal Important Difference; NCFB: Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis; NTM: Nontuberculous Mycobacteria; ORBIT: Once-daily Respiratory Bronchiectasis Inhalation Treatment trial; PRO: Patient-Reported Outcomes; QoL-B: Quality of Life-Bronchiectasis; SGRQ: St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire; SWT: Shuttle Walk Test; TORCH: Towards a Revolution in COPD Health trial; UPLIFT: Understanding Potential Long-term Impacts on Function with Tiotropium trial.

Immunological corollary of the pulmonary mycobiome in bronchiectasis: the CAMEB study

Understanding the composition and clinical importance of the fungal mycobiome was recently identified as a key topic in a “research priorities” consensus statement for bronchiectasis.

Patients were recruited as part of the CAMEB study: an international multicentre cross-sectional Cohort of Asian and Matched European Bronchiectasis patients. The mycobiome was determined in 238 patients by targeted amplicon shotgun sequencing of the 18S–28S rRNA internally transcribed spacer regions ITS1 and ITS2. Specific quantitative PCR for detection of and conidial quantification for a range of airway Aspergillus species was performed. Sputum galactomannan, Aspergillus specific IgE, IgG and TARC (thymus and activation regulated chemokine) levels were measured systemically and associated to clinical outcomes.

The bronchiectasis mycobiome is distinct and characterised by specific fungal genera, including Aspergillus, Cryptococcus and Clavispora. Aspergillus fumigatus (in Singapore/Kuala Lumpur) and Aspergillus terreus (in Dundee) dominated profiles, the latter associating with exacerbations. High frequencies of Aspergillus-associated disease including sensitisation and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis were detected. Each revealed distinct mycobiome profiles, and associated with more severe disease, poorer pulmonary function and increased exacerbations.

The pulmonary mycobiome is of clinical relevance in bronchiectasis. Screening for Aspergillus-associated disease should be considered even in apparently stable patients.

The airway mycobiome in bronchiectasis is associated with clinically significant diseasehttp://ow.ly/MCKj30knVrn

US Patient-Centered Research Priorities and Roadmap for Bronchiectasis

Noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (bronchiectasis) is an increasingly common chronic lung disease that is difficult to manage because of a lack of evidence on which to base treatment decision-making. We sought to develop a practical list of US-based patient-centered research priorities and an associated roadmap to guide bronchiectasis research. We designed and administered a web-based patient needs assessment survey to establish broad research priorities, convened three stakeholder webinars to confirm the top priorities, obtained written stakeholder feedback, and completed a final consensus survey of objectives. The stakeholder panel consisted of clinical research experts in bronchiectasis, a seven-member patient advisory panel, and representatives from the two key patient advocacy organizations: COPD Foundation and NTM Info and Research Inc. Based on survey results from 459 patients with bronchiectasis, the stakeholder panel identified 27 patient-centered research priorities for bronchiectasis in the areas of bronchiectasis treatment and prevention of exacerbations, improving treatment of exacerbations and infections, improving health-related quality of life, predictors of poor prognosis, understanding the impact of underlying conditions, and conducting patient-centered clinical trials. These priorities should further inform the development and evaluation of both new and previously unproven therapies, with particular attention to the inclusion of patient-reported outcomes. We anticipate a great deal of progress will be made in the field of bronchiectasis in the next decade.

Current and future pharmacotherapy options for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, there has been an increasing number of clinical trials investigating the effect of pharmacological treatments on patients with bronchiectasis. Areas covered: This review provides an overview of current drugs used in bronchiectasis patients as well as those that could make a future contribution to the management of this disease. Expert commentary: Bronchiectasis is a very heterogeneous disease, so it can be studied from a phenotypic standpoint and its pathophysiological mechanisms (endotypes) can be defined. This provides an interesting field of research as it enables the identification of patients suitable for inclusion in specific clinical trials on new drugs.

The impact of acute air pollution fluctuations on bronchiectasis pulmonary exacerbation: a case-crossover analysis

In bronchiectasis, exacerbations are believed to be triggered by infectious agents, but often no pathogen can be identified. We hypothesised that acute air pollution exposure may be associated with bronchiectasis exacerbations.

We combined a case-crossover design with distributed lag models in an observational record linkage study. Patients were recruited from a specialist bronchiectasis clinic at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK.

We recruited 432 patients with clinically confirmed bronchiectasis, as diagnosed by high-resolution computed tomography. After excluding days with missing air pollution data, the final model for particles with a 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of 10 µm (PM10) was based on 6741 exacerbations from 430 patients and for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) it included 6248 exacerbations from 426 patients. For each 10 µg·m−³ increase in PM10 and NO2, the risk of having an exacerbation that same day increased significantly by 4.5% (95% CI 0.9–8.3) and 3.2% (95% CI 0.7–5.8) respectively. The overall (lag zero to four) increase in risk of exacerbation for a 10 μg·m−3 increase in air pollutant concentration was 11.2% (95% CI 6.0–16.8) for PM10 and 4.7% (95% CI 0.1–9.5) for NO2. Subanalysis showed higher relative risks during spring (PM10 1.198 (95% CI 1.102–1.303), NO2 1.146 (95% CI 1.035–1.268)) and summer (PM10 2.142 (95% CI 1.785–2.570), NO2 1.352 (95% CI 1.140–1.602)) when outdoor air pollution exposure would be expected to be highest.

In conclusion, acute air pollution fluctuations are associated with increased exacerbation risk in bronchiectasis.

Continuous versus intermittent antibiotics for bronchiectasis

BACKGROUND

Bronchiectasis is a chronic airway disease characterised by a destructive cycle of recurrent airway infection, inflammation and tissue damage. Antibiotics are a main treatment for bronchiectasis. The aim of continuous therapy with prophylactic antibiotics is to suppress bacterial load, but bacteria may become resistant to the antibiotic, leading to a loss of effectiveness. On the other hand, intermittent prophylactic antibiotics, given over a predefined duration and interval, may reduce antibiotic selection pressure and reduce or prevent the development of resistance. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the current evidence for studies comparing continuous versus intermittent administration of antibiotic treatment in bronchiectasis in terms of clinical efficacy, the emergence of resistance and serious adverse events.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of continuous versus intermittent antibiotics in the treatment of adults and children with bronchiectasis, using the primary outcomes of exacerbations, antibiotic resistance and serious adverse events.

SEARCH METHODS

On 1 August 2017 and 4 May 2018 we searched the Cochrane Airways Review Group Specialised Register (CAGR), CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and AMED. On 25 September 2017 and 4 May 2018 we also searched www.clinicaltrials.gov, the World Health Organization (WHO) trials portal, conference proceedings and the reference lists of existing systematic reviews.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We planned to include randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of adults or children with bronchiectasis that compared continuous versus intermittent administration of long-term prophylactic antibiotics of at least three months' duration. We considered eligible studies reported as full-text articles, as abstracts only and unpublished data.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently screened the search results and full-text reports.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 268 unique records. Of these we retrieved and examined 126 full-text reports, representing 114 studies, but none of these studies met our inclusion criteria.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

No randomised controlled trials have compared the effectiveness and risks of continuous antibiotic therapy versus intermittent antibiotic therapy for bronchiectasis. High-quality clinical trials are needed to establish which of these interventions is more effective for reducing the frequency and duration of exacerbations, antibiotic resistance and the occurrence of serious adverse events.