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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Anthony De SoyzaORCiD
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Copyright ©The authors 2024. BACKGROUND: International guidelines recommend airway clearance management as one of the important pillars of bronchiectasis treatment. However, the extent to which airway clearance is used for people with bronchiectasis in Europe is unclear. The aim of the study was to identify the use of airway clearance management in patients with bronchiectasis across different countries and factors influencing airway clearance use. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study using data from the European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration (EMBARC) Registry between January 2015 and April 2022. Prespecified options for airway clearance management were recorded, including airway clearance techniques, devices and use of mucoactive drugs. RESULTS: 16 723 people with bronchiectasis from 28 countries were included in the study. The mean age was 67 years (interquartile range 57-74 years, range 18-100 years) and 61% were female. 72% of the participants reported daily sputum expectoration and 52% (95% CI 51-53%) of all participants reported using regular airway clearance management. Active cycle of breathing technique was used by 28% of the participants and airway clearance devices by 16% of participants. The frequency of airway clearance management and techniques used varied significantly between different countries. Participants who used airway clearance management had greater disease severity and worse symptoms, including a higher daily sputum volume, compared to those who did not use it regularly. Mucoactive drugs were also more likely to be used in participants with more severe disease. Access to specialist respiratory physiotherapy was low throughout Europe, but particularly low in Eastern Europe. CONCLUSIONS: Only a half of people with bronchiectasis in Europe use airway clearance management. Use of and access to devices, mucoactive drugs and specialist chest physiotherapy appears to be limited in many European countries.
Author(s): Spinou A, Hererro-Cortina B, Aliberti S, Goeminne PC, Polverino E, Dimakou K, Haworth CS, Loebinger MR, De Soyza A, Vendrell M, Burgel PR, McDonnell M, Sutharsan S, Skrgat S, Maiz-Carro L, Sibila O, Stolz D, Kauppi P, Bossios A, Hill AT, Clifton I, Crichton ML, Walker P, Menendez R, Borecki S, Obradovic D, Nowinski A, Amorim A, Torres A, Lorent N, Welte T, Blasi F, Jankovic Makek M, Shteinberg M, Boersma W, Elborn JS, Chalmers JD, Ringshausen FC
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: European Respiratory Journal
Year: 2024
Volume: 63
Issue: 6
Print publication date: 01/06/2024
Online publication date: 12/04/2024
Acceptance date: 02/03/2024
ISSN (print): 0903-1936
ISSN (electronic): 1399-3003
Publisher: European Respiratory Society
URL: https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.01689-2023
DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01689-2023
PubMed id: 38609097
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