Introduction

Bronchiectasis is classified as an obstructive lung disease with typical symptoms including chronic cough with excessive mucus

production and dyspnea on exertion. The cause is unknow in almost a half of patients.

Airway Clearance Techniques (ACTs) improve bronchial clearance in obstructive lung diseases complicated by excessive secretion

of sticky and viscous mucus. ACTs are therefore widely recommended as a part of the comprehensive management in a such

cases. Especially patients with bronchiectasis are a very good candidates for airway clearance therapy. New techniques have

been recently developed, e.g. the Simeox device which facilitates mucus clearance by generating successive low-frequency

depressions during passive exhalation.

Methods

A prospective series of 13 non-CF patients with previously confirmed diagnosis of bronchiectasis were hospitalized due to an

acute exacerbation. Routine pharmacological therapy including antibiotics, inhaled bronchodilators and mucolytics was

supported by ACT using the Simeox device in the morning for 20 minutes every day for 7 consecutive days.

Respiratory symptoms, lung function (body plethysmography), disease-specific quality of life questionnaire (CAT score) and 6

minute walking distance test (6MWT) were assessed before and after the seven-day intervention.

Statistical analysis was performed with non-parametric paired Wilcoxon s test.

Table 1 | The Study and Control group characteristics

Total score

23.9±7.9At admission

14.8±9.4after 7 days

0.008p value

Results

Thirteen patients, 5 females and 8 males, with a mean age of 65±6 years were enrolled into the study. Underlying/coexisting

respiratory diseases consisted of: moderate-to-severe COPD in 5 patients, asthma in 2 patients, interstitial pulmonary disease with

fibrosis in one patient, emphysema in one patient and unspecified pleural condition in one patient.

Vast majority of patients complained of severe dyspnea, intense cough and were full of phlegm at admission. Respiratory symptoms

intensity assessed by the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) at entry and after seven days of therapy are shown in the table 1.

Statistically (p=0.008) and clinically (CAT score change by >2 points) significant improvement in total CAT score by 9 points was

observed. Also cough intensity, chest congestion and perceived dyspnea decreased significantly.

Dyspnea domain

3.8±1.5

2.5±1.7

3.3±1.2

1.9±1.0

3.7±1.4

1.7±1.2

Cough domain

Expectoration domain

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