FREQUENCY OF VARIOUS SUBTYPES OF BRONCHIECTASIS AT MUFTI MEHMOOD MEMORIAL TEACHING HOSPITAL (MMMTH), D.I. KHAN

Abstract

Background

Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by irreversible airway dilatation and recurrent infections. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) plays a pivotal role in diagnosis and allows radiological classification into distinct subtypes, which may reflect disease severity and chronicity. Data regarding the distribution of bronchiectasis subtypes in Pakistan, particularly from southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, are limited.

Objective

To determine the frequency of various radiological subtypes of bronchiectasis among adult patients presenting to Mufti Mehmood Memorial Teaching Hospital (MMMTH), Dera Ismail Khan.

Methods

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the medical unit of MMMTH over a six-month period from July 2024 to Dec 2024. Adult patients (18–70 years) with HRCT-confirmed bronchiectasis were consecutively enrolled. Radiological subtypes were classified according to the Reid classification into cylindrical, varicose, cystic (saccular), and mixed types. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize variables, and chi-square tests were applied to assess associations between bronchiectasis subtypes and selected demographic factors. A p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 101 patients were included, comprising 61 males (60.4%) and 40 females (39.6%), with a mean age of 44.35 ± 15.62 years. Cylindrical bronchiectasis was the most common radiological subtype, observed in 51 patients (50.5%), followed by cystic bronchiectasis in 30 patients (29.7%). Mixed and varicose subtypes were each identified in 10 patients (9.9%). No statistically significant associations were found between bronchiectasis subtypes and gender (p = 0.134), age group (p = 0.139), smoking status (p = 0.564), or place of residence (p = 0.273).

Conclusion

Cylindrical bronchiectasis is the predominant radiological subtype among patients presenting with bronchiectasis at a tertiary care hospital in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The lack of significant associations with demographic and clinical variables underscores the heterogeneous nature of the disease. Standardized HRCT-based radiological subtyping is essential for improved disease characterization and may support better clinical decision-making in resource-limited settings.