Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

bronchiectasis is a chronic, debilitating condition characterised by persistent cough, excessive sputum production and recurrent chest infections. The precise prevalence is unknown, but figures quoted vary from about 4 × 105 aged 18–34 years to 272 × 105 aged 75 years and over.2,3 Pathologically, there is abnormal permanent dilatation of the airways. This leads to impaired mucociliary clearance, which in turn leads to a vicious cycle of bacterial colonisation in normally sterile airways and excessive bronchial inflammation. This review explores current clinical practice for this complex condition.