Advances in bronchiectasis: endotyping, genetics, microbiome, and disease heterogeneity.

ABSTRACT: Bronchiectasis is characterised by pathological dilation of the airways. More specifically, the radiographic demonstration of airway enlargement is the common feature of a heterogeneous set of conditions and clinical presentations. No approved therapies exist for the condition other than for bronchiectasis caused by cystic fibrosis. The heterogeneity of bronchiectasis is a major challenge in clinical practice and the main reason for difficulty in achieving endpoints in clinical trials. Recent observations of the past 2 years have improved the understanding of physicians regarding bronchiectasis, and have indicated that it might be more effective to classify patients in a different way. Patients could be categorised according to a heterogeneous group of endotypes (defined by a distinct func

SUBMITTER: Flume PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6173801 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature