Background: Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by recurrent infections, progressive lung damage, and frequent exacerbations. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is associated with worse clinical outcomes; however, regional data on its impact on disease severity and exacerbations in Indian patients remain limited. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the association between Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and disease severity using the FACED score and exacerbation frequency in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in South India from January to December 2024. Eighty adult patients (≥18 years) with HRCT-confirmed non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis were included. Clinical, radiological, spirometric, and microbiological data were extracted from medical records. Patients were categorized based on the presence or absence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in sputum culture. Disease severity was assessed using the FACED score. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23, with a p-value 60 years ( P = 0.01). Among patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, 68.2% experienced two or more exacerbations in the past year, compared to 27.6% of those without ( P =0.04). Conclusion: Pseudomonas infection is significantly associated with increased severity, impaired lung function, and frequent exacerbations in NCFB. Early identification of this high-risk phenotype through routine microbiological surveillance may facilitate timely intervention and improved clinical outcomes.
Mehrin et al. (Thu,) studied this question.