Introduction
bronchiectasis exacerbations, bronchiectasis, exacerbations, fatigue, haemoptysis, cough, breathlessness, asthma
BRONCHIECTASIS, ASTHMA, BRONCHIECTASIS
Bronchiectasis is a common chronic respiratory condition characterised by regular cough, sputum production and at risk of recurrent respiratory tract infections [In a retrospective study with 463 patients, asthma was an independent risk factor for increased bronchiectasis exacerbations [A European consensus agreement indicated that antibiotics are recommended for exacerbations in patients with bronchiectasis with a deterioration in three or more of the following key symptoms for at least 48 h: cough, sputum volume and/or consistency, sputum purulence, breathlessness and/or exercise tolerance, fatigue and/or malaise, and haemoptysis [The aim of this study was to explore whether co-existent asthma influenced the response to intravenous antibiotics. End points of interest were response rates to antibiotic therapy and impact on the time to next needing further antibiotic treatment.