AIM and objectives

Describe the use, tolerance and clinical benefit of nebulized antibiotic (NA) therapy in patients with chronic bronchial infection (CBI).

METHODS

Descriptive study of NA therapy in patients with CBI but without cystic fibrosis who attended the airway specialized nursing consultation between 2019 and 2022 at the University Hospital Santa María of Lleida. Baseline characteristics, microorganisms isolated, type of NA, tolerance and number of exacerbations one year before and after the onset of NA were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 99 patients were recruited, mainly older men with bronchiectasis (BC) (62%). The most prevalent microorganism was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (68.7%). Colistin was the most used NA (62.6%).  33.3% of patients presented adverse effects, being the most common dyspnea (48.5%). These patients mainly had BC and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and they also had worse lung function at baseline. Eighty patients only received a single NA, a reduction of the mean number of exacerbations were seen (2.95 [1.88] vs 1.42 [1.57]; p<0.001). No improvement in lung function was observed. Eleven patients died during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

NA treatment in patients with CBI without cystic fibrosis is well tolerated and reduces exacerbations. The main factor associated with poor tolerance is impaired lung function.