COPD-bronchiectasis overlap syndrome: Are there clinical, physiological and radiological synergistic effects?

Introduction: The coexistence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis is increasingly diagnosed in clinical practice; however this overlap is not well studied. Aim: To study the impact of overlap between of COPD and bronchiectasis on patient clinical, physiological and radiological indices as well as health related quality of life (HRQOL). Patients and methods: One hundred eighty-four patients were included; 68 patients had COPD, 68 had bronchiectasis, and 48 had overlapping COPD and bronchiectasis. Clinical assessment, arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis, pulmonary function tests, and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) chest with Bhalla scoring were done. HRQOL were assessed using the arabic version of St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Results: Dyspnea scale significantly increased in COPD, and overlapping COPD and bronchiectasis groups compared to bronchiectasis group. There was no significant difference between the three groups regarding ABG values, spirometeric parameters, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and SGRQ score. Bronchiectasis group had a significantly higher total Bhalla score with significant deterioration of spirometeric parameters and ABG values with increasing radiological extent and severity of bronchiectasis. Conclusion: The overlap between COPD and bronchiectasis did not significantly impair physiological parameters or HRQOL in comparison to either disease alone.