The definition for a bronchiectasis exacerbation was agreed as: a person with bronchiectasis with a deterioration in three or more of the following key symptoms for at least 48 h: cough; sputum volume and/or consistency; sputum purulence; breathlessness and/or exercise tolerance; fatigue and/or malaise; haemoptysis AND a clinician determines that a change in bronchiectasis treatment is required.
Definition of Bronchiectasis Pulmonary Exacerbation
Definition of a bronchiectasis pulmonary exacerbation for clinical trials
A person with bronchiectasis with a deterioration in three or more of the following key symptoms for at least 48 h:
- Cough
- Sputum volume and/or consistency
- Sputum purulence
- Breathlessness and/or exercise tolerance
- Fatigue and/or malaise
- Haemoptysis
AND a clinician determines that a change in bronchiectasis treatment is required
References:
- Hill AT, Haworth CS, Aliberti S, Barker A, Blasi F, Boersma W, Chalmers JD, De Soyza A, Dimakou K, Elborn JS, Feldman C, Flume P, Goeminne PC, Loebinger MR, Menendez R, Morgan L, Murris M, Polverino E, Quittner A, Ringshausen FC, Tino G, Torres A, Vendrell M, Welte T, Wilson R, Wong C, O’Donnell A, Aksamit T; EMBARC/BRR definitions working group. Pulmonary exacerbation in adults with bronchiectasis: a consensus definition for clinical research. Eur Respir J. 2017 Jun 8;49(6):1700051. [Medline]
- O’Donnell AE. Bronchiectasis update. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2018 Apr;31(2):194-198. [Medline]
- Barker AF, Karamooz E. Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis in Adults: A Review. JAMA. 2025 Jul 15;334(3):253-264. [Medline]
Created May 18, 2023.
Up-date: Dec 30, 2025.
