Abstract
Introduction: Bronchiectasis is based on clinical parameters, type of inflammation, response to treatment and rate of exacerbations. In stable state, little is known about non-invasive techniques for assessing airway inflammation.
Methods: We evaluated the clinical, radiographic and lung function characteristics of 40 patients with bronchiectasis (HRTC confirmation). All underwent lung function testing, exhaled Nitric Oxide assessment, sputum induction for differential cell count, IL-8, IL-13 in sputum supernatants. Radiologic extent was scored by two experienced radiologists.
Results: The study comprised of 40 patients (21 men, mean age 63.5yrs). Most frequent symptom was chronic cough (80%), purulent sputum(50%), whereas P.Aeruginosa was the most commonly isolated pathogen (65%). Mean IL-13 and IL-8 were median (IQR) 31.7 (19.5, 42) pg/ml and 2.20 (0.597,4.390) ng/ml respectively. Higher FeNO levels were associated with higher eosinophil percentages in induced sputum (p= 0.001, r=0.584) and higher IL-13 levels in sputum supernatants (p= 0.001, r=0.611), as well as a higher degree of bronchodilator reversibility (ml) (p= 0.003, r=0.471). IL-8 levels correlated positively with neutrophil count percentage in induced sputum (p= 0.001, r=0.799), the extent of bronchiectasis in HRCT (p= 0.001, r=0.765) and negatively with FEV1 (p= 0.008, r=0.416). IL-13 levels correlated with eosinophil count percentage in induced sputum (p= 0.001, r=0.656) and the degree of bronchodilator reversibility (ml) (p= 0.001, r=0.441)
Conclusion: The correlation of sputum IL-8 and IL-13 levels with distinct clinical, radiological and lung function in bronchiectasis according to the predominant cell profile.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016