A recent study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2025 International Conference underscores the severity and rapid onset of exacerbations in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFBE). The study found that most patients hospitalized for NCFBE were admitted on an urgent or emergency basis, and hospital readmissions were common during follow-up care.
The researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of 73,656 patients aged 12 years or older who had an inpatient hospitalization with a primary or secondary diagnosis of NCFBE. Their mean age was 71.8 years, and most were White (75.3%) and female (58.3%). Patients with asthma, cystic fibrosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were excluded from the study.
At the time of hospitalization, 39.8% of patients had existing respiratory infection, and 29.5% had respiratory failure. Treatments included antibiotics (83.9%), bronchodilators (76.8%), and corticosteroids (68.6%).
Most patients (92.3%) were admitted on an urgent or emergency basis, and their mean (standard deviation [SD]) length of stay was 7.1 (9.4) days. About 17% required intensive care at a mean (SD) cost of $16,375 ($35,847). Mean (SD) total costs of hospitalization were $22,355 ($45,160).
At discharge, most patients (53.8%) needed special discharge plans, 23.3% were discharged to specialized healthcare facilities, 21.9% went to home healthcare, and 5.9% had died.
Within 90 days of discharge, 22.6% of patients were readmitted, and the mean (SD) length of those stays was 7.9 (9.6) days, resulting in costs of $24,576 ($41,189). Readmission was associated with longer initial hospitalization and history of COPD or asthma.
“Hospitalizations and readmissions contribute to high costs associated with NCFBE. Patients with specific risk factors may benefit from continuity of care after hospitalization to reduce the risk of readmission,” concluded the authors, led by Sunjay R. Devarajan, MD, of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.
Reference Devarajan SR, Mohanty M, Lopes G, et al. Hospitalizations and risk of readmissions in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Abstract #A1950. Presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference; May 18-21, 2025; San Francisco, California.
