Factors associated with radiologic progression of non‐cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis during long‐term follow‐up

Background and objective Non‐cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis is a chronic airway inflammatory disease, exhibiting a diverse array of clinical courses. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that predict radiologic progression of non‐CF bronchiectasis during a long‐term follow‐up. Methods We reviewed the electronic medical records that included pulmonary function test data from non‐CF bronchiectasis patients, who were older than 18 years of age with a follow‐up of computerized tomography for more than 5 years. The original Bhalla score was used to determine the radiologic severity of non‐CF bronchiectasis. Results A total of 155 patients (mean age, 59.6 years; male, 45.2%) were included for the final analysis. The mean follow up time was 7.11 ± 1.42 (5–10) years. The baseline Bhalla score was 9.52 ± 3.14 (4–19), and the change of Bhalla score was 0.55 ± 1.14 (−2 to 5). The Bhalla score was increased in 56 patients (36.1%) but not in 99 patients (63.9%). The Bhalla score change was significantly associated with the age at diagnosis ( p  = 0.037), body mass index (BMI, p  = 0.012), chronic infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( p  = 0.005) or isolation of nontuberculous mycobacterium ( p  = 0.042) in respiratory specimens. In a multivariate analysis, BMI and isolation of P .  aeruginosa were significantly related with the Bhalla score change. Conclusion The radiologic progression of non‐CF bronchiectasis was associated with lower BMI and isolation of P .  aeruginosa in respiratory specimens.