Pulmonary exacerbation in adults with bronchiectasis: a consensus definition for clinical research. Issue 6 (8th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hill, Adam T.; Haworth, Charles S.; Aliberti, Stefano; Barker, Alan; Blasi, Francesco; Boersma, Wim; Chalmers, James D.; De Soyza, Anthony; Dimakou, Katerina; Elborn, J. Stuart; Feldman, Charles; Flume, Patrick; Goeminne, Pieter C.; Loebinger, Michael R.; Menendez, Rosario; Morgan, Lucy; Murris, Marlene; Polverino, Eva; Quittner, Alexandra; Ringshausen, Felix C.; Tino, Gregory; Torres, Antoni; Vendrell, Montserrat; Welte, Tobias; Wilson, Rob; Wong, Conroy; O'Donnell, Anne; Aksamit, Timothy
• Is Part Of: European respiratory journal. Volume 49:Issue 6(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-06-08
• Subjects: Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiration -- Periodicals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00051-2017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0903-1936

Abstract

There is a need for a clear definition of exacerbations used in clinical trials in patients with bronchiectasis. An expert conference was convened to develop a consensus definition of an exacerbation for use in clinical research. A systematic review of exacerbation definitions used in clinical trials from January 2000 until December 2015 and involving adults with bronchiectasis was conducted. A Delphi process followed by a round-table meeting involving bronchiectasis experts was organised to reach a consensus definition. These experts came from Europe (representing the European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Research Collaboration), North America (representing the US Bronchiectasis Research Registry/COPD Foundation), Australasia and South Africa. The definition was unanimously approved by the working group as: a person with bronchiectasis with a deterioration in three or more of the following key symptoms for at least 48 h: cough; sputum volume and/or consistency; sputum purulence; breathlessness and/or exercise tolerance; fatigue and/or malaise; haemoptysis AND a clinician determines that a change in bronchiectasis treatment is required. The working group proposes the use of this consensus-based definition for bronchiectasis exacerbation in future clinical research involving adults with bronchiectasis. An expert conference has developed a consensus definition of a bronchiectasis exacerbation for clinical research http://ow.ly/oKPY309yTaX