Primary care implications of the British Thoracic Society Guidelines for bronchiectasis in adults 2019

NPJ Prim Care Respir Med. 2019 Jun 27;29(1):24. doi: 10.1038/s41533-019-0136-8.

Abstract

The British Thoracic Society (BTS) Guidelines for Bronchiectasis in adults were published in January 2019, and comprise recommendations for treatment from primary to tertiary care. Here, we outline the practical implications of these guidelines for primary care practitioners. A diagnosis of bronchiectasis should be considered when a patient presents with a recurrent or persistent (>8 weeks) productive cough. A definitive diagnosis is made by using thin-section chest computed tomography (CT). Once diagnosed, patients should be initially assessed by a specialist respiratory team and a shared management plan formulated with the patient, the specialist and primary care teams. The cornerstone of primary care management is physiotherapy to improve airway sputum clearance and maximise exercise capacity, with prompt treatment of acute exacerbations with antibiotics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bronchiectasis / therapy*
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Physical Therapy Modalities / standards*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Primary Health Care / standards*
  • Quality of Life
  • Societies, Medical*
  • Thoracic Surgery*
  • United Kingdom
  • Young Adult