The BED-Pro Tool: facilitating the detection of bronchiectasis exacerbations

Abstract

Bronchiectasis is characterised by chronic cough, mucus hypersecretion and recurrent exacerbations with varying degrees of abnormal and irreversible dilatation of the bronchi [1]. The clinical course of bronchiectasis is punctuated with exacerbations in the majority of patients [2], defined as a deterioration of at least three symptoms (cough, sputum volume and/or consistency, sputum purulence, dyspnoea and/or exercise tolerance, fatigue and/or malaise, haemoptysis for ≥48 h requiring alterations in therapy), according to the latest international expert consensus [3]. Consistent with other chronic lung diseases (particularly COPD and asthma), exacerbation in patients with bronchiectasis may confer a notable negative impact on the natural course of disease progression [2].