The existence of asthma increases bronchiectasis exacerbation

Background: Bronchiectasis and asthma are common respiratory diseases worldwide. However, the influence of asthma on bronchiectasis remains unclear. The objective of this study is to analyze the effects of asthma on bronchiectasis exacerbation. Methods: Data from inpatients diagnosed with bronchiectasis with or without asthma at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital between January 2013 and December 2014 was retrospectively collected and analyzed. 249 patients with only bronchiectasis and 214 patients with both bronchiectasis and asthma were included in the study. Follow-up records were used to evaluate exacerbations due to bronchiectasis and the effect of asthma on bronchiectasis. Results: The variables found to be independently associated with hospitalization due to bronchiectasis exacerbations were age (OR, 1.07; P < 0.001), duration of symptom (OR, 1.06; P < 0.001), the presence of asthma (OR, 2.6; P = 0.021), forced expiration volume at 1 second (FEV1) < 50% of the predicted value (OR, 4.03; P = 0.001), isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) in the patient's sputum (OR, 2.41; P = 0.05), and lung lesion extension > 2 lobes (OR, 2.73; P = 0.022). Conclusion: The existence of asthma was associated with an independent increase in risk of bronchiectasis exacerbation.