Effect of obstructive airway disease in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

Background: Extensive research has been devoted to cystic fibrosis-related brochiectasis, compared with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis but the latter is more common and results in significant morbidity and mortality. We assessed the relationship between pulmonary function test (PFT) findings and sputum bacteriology, blood gases, number of hospital admissions and mortality in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bonchiectasis (NCFB).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 88 consecutive patients admitted with exacerbation of bronchiectasis over 5 years from 1996 to 2001.