Characterisation of the post-tuberculous phenotype of bronchiectasis: A real-world observational study

OBJECTIVE: Bronchiectasis is a heterogeneous disease with distinct phenotypes. The post-tuberculosis (post-TB) bronchiectasis phenotype is prevalent in many countries but is under-studied. Our aim was to identify distinct phenotypic characteristics of post-TB bronchiectasis. METHODS: We recruited adults admitted between Jan 2010-Oct 2017 at Changi General Hospital, Singapore for bronchiectasis exacerbation. We collected demographics, symptoms, lung function, microbiology and FACED scores. Participants were followed-up until the next hospitalized exacerbation or end of study, whichever was sooner. Participants diagnosed by their attending respiratory specialist to have post-TB bronchiectasis were compared to those with bronchiectasis from other aetiologies. RESULTS: 148 participants were included with mean±standard deviation age 63 ± 9 years; 46 (31.1%) had post-TB bronchiectasis and 102 (68.9%) other aetiologies. Compared to other aetiologies, participants with post-TB bronchiectasis had significantly lower body mass index (BMI), more frequent presentation with haemoptysis, lower forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), more frequent isolation of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), and higher FACED scores indicating greater disease severity. Over a median follow-up of 21 months, post-TB bronchiectasis was associated with shorter time to next hospitalized exacerbation (49 vs 76 months, Log-Rank p = .01). CONCLUSION: Post-TB bronchiectasis is a distinct entity with higher rates of haemoptysis and NTM isolation, more frequent exacerbations, and greater disease severity.