Effect of Expiratory Muscle Strength in Patients With Bronchiectasis

Effect of Expiratory Muscle Strength on Hospital Admission, Disease Severity and Quality of Life in Patients With Bronchiectasis

This study investigates the relationship between expiratory muscle strength and clinical outcomes such as disease severity, hospital admissions, and quality of life in individuals with bronchiectasis.

This study aims to examine the relationship between expiratory muscle strength and clinical outcomes such as disease severity, hospital admission history, and quality of life in individuals with bronchiectasis. Effective coughing is a critical physiological reflex for airway clearance; however, the relationship between expiratory muscle strength and cough effectiveness in the bronchiectasis population has not been clearly established. Identifying expiratory muscle weakness as a potential contributor to increased symptom burden and impaired airway clearance may improve clinical understanding and support the development of targeted physiotherapy interventions. The findings of this study could serve as a foundation for future interventional research in pulmonary rehabilitation and respiratory muscle training for this population.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having a diagnosis of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis
• Without an acute infection at the time of assessment (confirmed by medical history, serum C-reactive protein levels, chest X-ray and/or HRCT).
• Being between 18 and 65 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

• Myopathies
• Stroke (Cerebrovascular accident - CVA)
• Pregnancy
• Unstable cardiac disease