| Popis: |
The aim of this study is to evaluate of microbiological and inflammatory characteristics of exacerbations in COPD patients with previously undiagnosed radiographic bronchiectasis and the impact of bronchiectasis on exacerbation course. We enrolled 160 patients with COPD exacerbation. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of chest was performed, and the presence of bronchiectasis was evaluated. The patients were classified into two groups: COPD with bronchiectasis and COPD without bronchiectasis. Serum CRP, procalsitonin and IL-8 concentration were measured. Sputum microbiological anaysis were performed. Microbiological and inflammatory characteristics of both groups were compared. The mean age of the patients was 66.57 ± 8.6 years. Bronchiectasis was diagnosed in 43 (26.8%) patients by HRCT. Sputum and purulent sputum symptoms were common in exacerbations of COPD with bronchiectasis group to without bronchiectasis group (p=0.001). Compared with those without bronchiectasis, COPD patients with bronchiectasis had a higher proportion of sputum culture positivity (55.8% vs 24.7%, p In conclusion, COPD exacerbations in patents with comorbid bronchiectasis is associated with more bacteriological load, an increase in both local and systemic inflammation and worse exacerbation course. |
