PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Murray, M. P.
AU  - Pentland, J. L.
AU  - Turnbull, K.
AU  - MacQuarrie, S.
AU  - Hill, A. T.
TI  - Sputum colour: a useful clinical tool in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.00163208
DP  - 2009 Aug 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 361--364
VI  - 34
IP  - 2
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/34/2/361.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/34/2/361.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2009 Aug 01; 34
AB  - This study explored the utility of sputum colour in clinically stable patients with bronchiectasis. Interpretation of sputum colour between the doctor and the patient was reliable (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.76–0.89). Sputum colour predicted bacterial colonisation (5% in mucoid sputum; 43.5% in mucopurulent sputum; 86.4% in purulent sputum; p<0.0001). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent factors associated with purulent sputum were bacterial colonisation, varicose or cystic bronchiectasis, forced expiratory volume in 1 s <80% predicted and diagnosis of bronchiectasis aged <45 yrs.