Anti-inflammatory therapies in bronchiectasis

Although the use of anti-inflammatory therapies in bronchiectasis remains an attractive proposition, there is currently insufficient evidence to support the use of inhaled and oral corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and macrolides. Individual patient trials may be warranted for inhaled corticosteroids and macrolides. It is hoped that recently completed and ongoing randomised control trials of macrolides will better define the use and safety in bronchiectasis. There remains an urgent need to perform adequately powered multicentre trials of other potentially useful therapies.