Smith M P
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Old Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh, UK.
J R Coll Physicians Edinb. 2011 Jun;41(2):132-9; quiz 139. doi: 10.4997/JRCPE.2011.217.
Bronchiectasis is a chronic debilitating condition. Pathologically, a vicious cycle of infection and inflammation exists in the permanently damaged airways with patients suffering a persistent cough, chronic daily sputum production and recurrent chest infections. Once termed an 'orphan disease', the prevalence of bronchiectasis has become increasingly recognised over the past few decades. The associated burden of disease in terms of respiratory morbidity, effect on patients' health-related quality of life and the economic cost of long term management is significant and it has become apparent that more research into its causes and management is urgently needed. This article reviews what is currently known about bronchiectasis, its pathophysiology, aetiology and management strategies.
支气管扩张是一种慢性衰弱性疾病。在病理上，永久性受损的气道中存在感染与炎症的恶性循环，患者会持续咳嗽、每日慢性咳痰并反复出现胸部感染。支气管扩张曾被称为“孤儿病”，在过去几十年中，其患病率越来越受到关注。在呼吸发病率、对患者健康相关生活质量的影响以及长期管理的经济成本方面，相关疾病负担都很显著，显然迫切需要对其病因和管理进行更多研究。本文综述了目前关于支气管扩张及其病理生理学、病因和管理策略的已知情况。
