The clinical and functional characteristics of bronchiectasis among tuberculosis patients in Upper Egypt: a single-center study

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is considered one of the most common causes of bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis increases clinical and financial burden of patients with TB. Here, we aim to assess the prevalence of bronchiectasis and its characteristics in patients with TB. RESULTS: Over 1 year duration, 85 patients with confirmed TB were enrolled in the study. Those patients were clinically, laboratory, and radiologically evaluated. Any patient with other chest diseases was excluded from the study. Out of those patients, 19/85 (22.4%) patients had bronchiectasis. It was found that patients with bronchiectasis had higher frequency of urban residence, current cigarette or goza smoking, and diabetes mellitus. Hemoptysis and expectoration were the most frequent symptoms. Pulmonary function tests were significantly impaired in patients with bronchiectasis. Disease burden was significantly higher among bronchiectasis group in form of frequent hospitalization, longer hospital stay, and need of oxygen therapy. CONCLUSION: Bronchiectasis is not uncommon among TB patients. Co-existence of bronchiectasis with TB has distinctive clinical, and functional characteristics that increase the burden of the diseases in the form of prolonged hospital stay and higher utilization of antibiotics and oxygen therapy. Smoking in tuberculous patients may is significantly associated with bronchiectasis.