South African Thoracic Society position statement on the management of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in adults: 2023

A Goolam Mahomed; S D Maasdorp; R Barnes; H van Aswegen; A Lupton-Smith; B Allwood; G Calligaro; C Feldman; I S Kalla

doi:10.7196/AJTCCM.2023.v29i2.647

South African Thoracic Society position statement on the management of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in adults: 2023

Afr J Thorac Crit Care Med. 2023 Aug 3;29(2):10.7196/AJTCCM.2023.v29i2.647. doi: 10.7196/AJTCCM.2023.v29i2.647. eCollection 2023.

Authors

A Goolam Mahomed¹, S D Maasdorp², R Barnes³, H van Aswegen⁴, A Lupton-Smith⁵, B Allwood⁶, G Calligaro⁷, C Feldman⁸, I S Kalla⁸

Affiliations

¹ Louis Pasteur Private Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa.
² Division of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
³ Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
⁴ Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
⁵ Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
⁶ Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
⁷ Division of Pulmonology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
⁸ Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Abstract

Background: Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disorder that affects the lives of many South Africans. Post-tuberculosis (TB) bronchiectasis is an important complication of previous pulmonary TB and a common cause of bronchiectasis in South Africa (SA). No previous statements on the management of bronchiectasis in SA have been published.

Objectives: To provide a position statement that will act as a template for the management of adult patients with bronchiectasis in SA.

Methods: The South African Thoracic Society appointed an editorial committee to compile a position statement on the management of adult non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis in SA.

Results: A position statement addressing the management of non-CF bronchiectasis in adults in SA was compiled. This position statement covers the epidemiology, aetiology, diagnosis, investigations and various aspects of management of adult patients with non-CF bronchiectasis in SA.

Conclusion: Bronchiectasis has largely been a neglected lung condition, but new research has improved the outlook for patients. Collaboration between interprofessional team members in patient management is important. In SA, more research into the epidemiology of bronchiectasis, especially post-TB bronchiectasis and HIV-associated bronchiectasis, is required.

Abstract: The South African Thoracic Society mandated a multidisciplinary team of healthcare providers to compile a position statement on the management of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in South Africa (SA). International guidelines on the management of bronchiectasis were reviewed and used as a basis from which the current position statement was compiled. This is the first position statement on the management of adult non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in SA. A description of the epidemiology and aetiology of bronchiectasis is provided, as well as guidance on its diagnosis and management. The position statement provides guidance on the management of bronchiectasis to healthcare providers, policymakers and regulatory authorities.

Keywords: Bronchiectasis; management; non-cystic fibrosis.

Copyright © 2022, Goolam Mahomed et al. Copyright of published material remains in the Authors’ name. This allows authors to use their work for their own non-commercial purposes without seeking permission from the Publisher, subject to properly acknowledging the Journal as the original place of publication.