The Effect of Bronchiectasis on the Exacerbation and Mortality in COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways and lungs that develops against harmful particles or gases with exacerbations. COPD exacerbations are characterized by worsening of dyspnea, coughing and expectoration. Exacerbations requiring hospitalization are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in COPD. Bronchiectasis is the irreversible extension of the bronchi. Usually follows with chronic sputum cough, airway obstruction and recurrent infection episodes. The association of bronchiectasis and COPD has long been known and its incidence is in the range of 30-50%. Coexistence of bronchiectasis with COPD may lead to worsening of the functional parameters as well as alteration of the microbiological pattern in exacerbations and may negatively affect the exacerbation result parameters.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients who underwent thoracic tomography in the last year according to index exacerbation date were included in the study

Exclusion criteria

• Cases that mimic COPD exacerbation (pneumonia, pulmonary thromboembolism, pulmonary congestion, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, lung malignancy, asthma, asthma-COPD overlap syndrome) and patients admitted to the intensive care unit were excluded from the study.