Clinical and functional profile of patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis according to the presence of chronic bronchial infection

Patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) are susceptible to chronic bronchial infection, but its true impact on patients’ courses is yet unknown. <i>Objective:</i> To compare the microbiological, clinical and functional profiles of NCFB patients with and without chronic bronchial infection. <i>Methods:</i> Observational and retrospective study conducted in a Brazilian University hospital from 2015 to 2019. Medical records were reviewed and were selected patients with NCFB who had at least two sputum cultures within 2 years. Potentially Pathogenic Microorganisms (PPM) were identified and both baseline clinical (age, sex, BMI, MRC, SpO2) and functional data (FVC and FEV1) were collected. This project was approved by the institution’s ethics committee. <i>Results:</i> 58 patients were included; 53% female, mean age of 57 yrs. Idiopathic cases were 48%, COPD 14%, postinfectious 21%, ciliary dyskinesia 14%. PPMs were cronically present in 39 patients (67%), mainly in idiopathic NCFB (46%). The most observed PPMs were Pseudomonas aeruginosa mucoid (61%), non-mucoid (58%) and Staphylococcus aureus (43%). Comparison between MPP (+) and MPP (-) groups showed no difference concerning age, sex, MRC, BMI, FVC and FEV1 (see Table). <i>Conclusion:</i> In this sample of NCFB subjects, the presence of bronchial infection by PPM had no association with functional, clinical nor symptomatic variables.