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Bronchiectasis is a pathologic description of lung damage characterized by inflamed and dilated thick-walled bronchi. These findings may result from a number of possible causes and these may influence treatment and prognosis. The aim of this study was to determine causative factors in 150 adults with bronchiectasis (56 male, 94 female) identified using high-resolution computerized tomography. Relevant factors were identified in the clinical history; cystic fibrosis gene mutation analysis was performed; humoral immune defects were determined by measuring immunoglobulins, IgG subclasses and functional response to Pneumovax II vaccine; assessment was made of neutrophil function (respiratory burst, adhesion molecule expression, and chemotaxis); ciliary function was observed and those likely to have allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) were identified. Causes identified were: immune defects (12 cases), cystic fibrosis (4), Young's syndrome (5), ciliary dysfunction (3), aspiration (6), panbronchiolitis (1), congenital defect (1), ABPA (11), rheumatoid arthritis (4), and early childhood pneumonia, pertussis, or measles (44). Intensive investigation of this population of patients with bronchiectasis led to identification of one or more causative factor in 47% of cases. In 22 patients (15%), the cause identified had implications for prognosis and treatment.

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The British Thoracic Society (BTS) has recently published a guideline for the management of non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) bronchiectasis in children and adults. This paper summarises the key recommendations applicable to the primary care setting. The key points are:• Think of the diagnosis of bronchiectasis in adults and children who present with a chronic productive cough or unexplained haemoptysis, and in children with asthma which responds poorly to treatment

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