TY - JOUR T1 - Knowledge and adherence of airway clearance techniques in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J DO - 10.1183/13993003.congress-2015.PA4202 VL - 46 IS - suppl 59 SP - PA4202 AU - Gerard Muñoz AU - Javier De Gracia AU - Antoni Alvarez AU - Gladis Sabater AU - Saioa Eizaguirre AU - Enric Boyer AU - Montserrat Vendrell Y1 - 2015/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/46/suppl_59/PA4202.abstract N2 - Airway clearance seems essential to keeping the lungs free from secretions in bronchiectasis; however, airway clearance techniques (ACTs) are time-consuming and adherence is poor. This preliminary study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge and adherence to ACTs in patients with non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis.Methods: Consecutively visited patients with stable state non-CF bronchiectasis with chronic sputum >10ml/day who were not performing regular effective ACT were invited to participate in a study to test one of these techniques. A chest physiotherapist asked the patients if they had been trained in ACTs. If so, the patients were evaluated for its efficacy, their skill in performing them (good/regular/poor) and their level of adherence (times per day/duration).Results: 46 patients were included (50% males, mean age 61.9±15.3yrs, mean sputum volume/day: 23.1±17ml). 24 (52.2%) had previously been seen by a physiotherapist although only 4 had been taught an effective ACT: postural drainage in the case of 2 patients (both performed poorly but had good adherence) and forced expiration in the other 2 (both performed this well but had poor adherence). The remaining 20 patients had been taught ineffective ACTs with poor adherence (6 triflow, 4 upper limb exercises, 10 ventilatory exercises).Conclusions: In the area served by our reference hospital, knowledge of ACTs and adherence to them in patients with non-CF bronchiectasis is very poor. Effective ACT instruction and close supervision by an expert chest physiotherapist is necessary to ensure good performance and adherence.Funded by SEPAR, SOCAP, the catalan college of Physiotherapist and Fiss PI12/01551. ER -