Abstract
Background: Few studies have assessed the role of lung diffusing capacity (diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO)) in non-CF bronchiectasis (BR). We sought to examine the relationship between DLCO and other variables in an Irish population of BR patients and determine its potential prognostic significance.
Methods: DLCO data was available in 195/212 (92%) consecutive BR patients attending our institution over a 2-year period. Univariate analyses was performed using Pearson's correlation. Stepwise logistic regression analyses was subsequently performed to determine if DLCO was an independent predictor of disease severity or mortality.
Results: DLCO strongly correlated with all measured lung function parameters FEV1%, FVC%, FEF 25-75% and FEV1/FVC ratio (all p<0.001). Negative correlations were noted with age at diagnosis (p=0.017), body mass index (p=0.013) and no. comorbidities (p=0.007). Significant symptom associations included SOB (p=0.001), fatigue (p<0.001) and weight loss (p=0.016). Reduced DLCO was associated with higher MRCD scores (p=0.007), increased no. of lobes affected (p=0.049), radiological disease type (p=0.021), and increased requirement for LTOT therapy (p=0.001), with subsequent higher BSI scores (p=0.001) and increased mortality (p=0.012). No correlations were noted with gender, smoking history, no. exacerbations or hospitalisations, or bacterial colonisation of any form. Stepwise regression analyses showed DLCO to be significant in predicting type of radiological disease (p=0.029), BSI (p=0.015) and mortality (p=0.028).
Conclusion: DLCO may be a significant predictor of radiological disease extent, disease severity and mortality in BR patients.
- Copyright ©ERS 2015