Managing bronchiectasis in adults in primary care: a clinical update

Bronchiectasis is a condition where patients have symptoms of persistent or recurrent bronchial sepsis related to irreversibly damaged and dilated bronchi. 1 The prevalence of bronchiectasis has risen by about 60% between 1994 and 2013 so that a GP practice population of 10 000 will have around 50 patients with the condition.2 Many patients with stable bronchiectasis and acute flare-ups can be managed in primary care. HOW DO I MAKE A DIAGNOSIS OF BRONCHIECTASIS?A diagnosis of bronchiectasis should be suspected when a patient presents with a recurrent or persistent (>8 weeks) cough with production of purulent or mucopurulent sputum. 1 There should be a higher index of suspicion if there are coexistent factors, as outlined in Box 1.A full history and examination should be carried out to exclude other causes of chronic cough, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary a clinical update