Patterns of Bronchiectasis in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Mardan

Abstract

Background: Bronchiectasis is commonly linked to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can go undetected due to limited access to diagnostic tools like HRCT scans. This chronic lung condition involves the irreversible dilation of airways, leading to mucus buildup and recurrent infections. Early diagnosis and management are crucial for improving patient outcomes. Objectives: The objective of the present study was to identify the prevalence and pattern of bronchiectasis in individuals with COPD and the contributing variables. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Department of Medicine MMC Mardan from January 2020 to January 2021, including 60 (COPD) patients with diagnoses. A high-resolution CT scan was used to diagnose bronchiectasis. A systematic proforma was used to document all relevant characteristics connected to the severity of (COPD) or bronchiectasis. Results: In (COPD) patients, 16 (55%) had bronchiectasis. Of all (COPD) patients, 42% had a cylindrical type, with higher bilateral and lower lobe involvement. The Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) Dyspnoea Scale score, the diagnosis, and the number of pack years of smoking were shown to be strongly linked to the development of bronchiectasis in individuals with (COPD). Conclusion: In summary, this study identified bronchiectasis as a relatively common coexisting condition in COPD patients, affecting 51% of the studied population, with a specific cylindrical pattern and bilateral lower lobe involvement on chest imaging. Intriguingly, there were no significant differences in terms of mean smoking pack years and years from the onset of symptoms between patients with and without bronchiectasis, suggesting that these factors may not be strongly associated with its development in the context of COPD.