Bronchiectasis is a chronic inflammatory
lung disease, which has similarities to
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (
COPD). Comorbidities of
COPD include increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease, loss of bone mineral density (BMD) and loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, all linked to systemic
inflammation. The potential for such comorbidities has not been explored in
bronchiectasis. We hypothesised that patients with
bronchiectasis would have similar increased comorbidities. A total of 20 patients with noncystic
fibrosis bronchiectasis were compared to 20 controls similar in age, gender and smoking exposure. Assessments included aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV; (a measure of arterial stiffness and an independent predictor of CV risk), blood pressure (BP) as well as levels of
interleukin-6 (IL-6),
albumin, fasting
glucose and
lipids. Body composition (fat free mass index (FFMI)), BMD, the 6-min walk distance (6MWD) and self-reported physical activity were also determined. Patients with
bronchiectasis had increased aortic PWV, 10.5 (3.0) m/second, when compared with controls, 8.8 (1.6) m/second (p < 0.05), despite similar central and peripheral BP and
lipid profile. Patients also had increased IL-6 and reduced
albumin and
glucose. Although mean body mass index, FFMI and BMD were similar in patients and controls, only 20% of patients had a healthy BMD compared with 50% of controls. Patients had reduced 6MWD and reported less physical activity (p < 0.05). Patients with
bronchiectasis had increased arterial stiffness (an
indicator of increased CV risk), increased
inflammation, reduced exercise capacity and bone thinning. These additional comorbidities require further evaluation for their management in these patients.