Quality of life and its determinants in patients with noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

Promoting quality of life (QoL) in patients with bronchiectasis, as a chronic disease, is a part of therapeutic principles. This study aimed to investigate QoL and its determinants in patients with noncystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis.

This cross‑sectional study was conducted on 62 patients (38.7% male, mean age: 44) with non‑CF bronchiectasis and involvement of ≥2 lobes in Qazvin, Iran. QoL was evaluated using the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). The relationships of QoL subscales with clinical (cough, dyspnea, and sputum volume) and paraclinical (spirometry, computerized tomography scan, sputum microbiology, and 6‑min walk test [6‑MWT]) were assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analyses.

The mean SGRQ total score was 53.1 (standard deviation 19.8) out of 100. The level of dyspnea (r = 0.543, P < 0.001), cough (r = −0.594, P < 0.001), 6‑MWT (r = −0.520, P < 0.001), sputum volume (r = 0.423, P = 0.002), and number of exacerbations (r = 0.446, P = 0.009) had significant correlation with SGRQ total score. In multiple regression analysis, forced expiratory volume in 1 s was an independent predictor of the symptom (β = −0.22, P = 0.048) and activity (β = −0.43, P = 0.03) subscales, whereas cough was an independent predictor of the symptom subscale (β = −2.1, P = 0.002).

In patients with non‑CF bronchiectasis, the extent of lung impairment has a lower effect on the QoL than clinical symptoms. It seems that the QoL can be improved through the proper treatment of clinical symptoms and rehabilitation for promoting 6‑MWT.