SYMPTOM BURDEN IN BRONCHIECTASIS: RESULTS OF A TARGETED LITERATURE REVIEW AND PATIENT FOCUS GROUPS
Author(s)
Robin Jha, MPharm1, Kathrin Fischer, BA, MSc, PhD1, Lisa Sarfaty, BA, MPH2, Vivienne Law, BSc3, Rhiannon Teague, BSc, MSc, MRes4, Linda Abetz-Webb, BA, MA5, Roisin Stout, BSc, MRes, PhD4, Kim Ribeiro, MLS (ASCP)CM, MS2, Bhavisha Patel, MBA, RRT2, Akshay Kharat, PhD2, Ashok Jha, MBA, MSc1.
1Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany, 2Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA, 3Zebra26 Ltd, Honiton, United Kingdom, 4Maverex Ltd., Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom, 5Patient-Centred Outcomes Assessment (P-COA) Ltd., Bollington, United Kingdom.
1Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany, 2Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, CT, USA, 3Zebra26 Ltd, Honiton, United Kingdom, 4Maverex Ltd., Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom, 5Patient-Centred Outcomes Assessment (P-COA) Ltd., Bollington, United Kingdom.
OBJECTIVES: Bronchiectasis is a chronic inflammatory lung disease characterized by cough, sputum production, and recurrent pulmonary infections. We identified patient-relevant symptoms in bronchiectasis and explored similarities/differences between cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (CFBE) and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFBE).
METHODS: A targeted literature review (TLR) of Embase, MEDLINE, and conference proceedings was conducted to identify English language publications reporting on the most impactful symptoms of bronchiectasis in adults. Findings were explored and evaluated through two US focus groups involving adults with CFBE or NCFBE assessing patient-reported symptom experiences.
RESULTS: The TLR identified limited evidence on symptom experience in CFBE. Across 15 studies in bronchiectasis, cough, breathlessness, fatigue, and sputum production were consistently reported as burdensome symptoms. These findings were reflected in the CFBE (n=8) and NCFBE (n=7) focus groups, where both groups reported similar dominant symptoms, including cough, sputum production, breathlessness, and fatigue. Breathlessness was the most frequently reported bothersome symptom (10/15 participants; 66.7%), including breathlessness on exertion (n=7/15; 46.7%). Fatigue and cough (general) were each reported as bothersome by 4/15 participants (26.7%). Across symptoms reported in the previous 7 days (CFBE: 90 reports; NCFBE: 146 reports), breathlessness on exertion (n=12/15), blocked nose (n=10/15), breathlessness on talking (n=9/15), coughing up mucus (n=9/15), and anxiety and throat clearing (both n=8/15) were reported by ≥8 participants. Core symptoms were consistent across CFBE and NCFBE, but burden differed: CFBE burden was high, but experienced as constant and manageable, while NCFBE was variable and unpredictable. Symptoms across both groups affected functioning, daily activities, and emotional wellbeing.
CONCLUSIONS: Findings from the focus groups demonstrated an overlapping symptom burden across CFBE and NCFBE, driven by cough, sputum production, breathlessness, and fatigue. While core symptoms were similar, differences in disease experience highlight the need for patient-centered approaches that address not only symptom reduction, but also stability, control, and daily functioning.
METHODS: A targeted literature review (TLR) of Embase, MEDLINE, and conference proceedings was conducted to identify English language publications reporting on the most impactful symptoms of bronchiectasis in adults. Findings were explored and evaluated through two US focus groups involving adults with CFBE or NCFBE assessing patient-reported symptom experiences.
RESULTS: The TLR identified limited evidence on symptom experience in CFBE. Across 15 studies in bronchiectasis, cough, breathlessness, fatigue, and sputum production were consistently reported as burdensome symptoms. These findings were reflected in the CFBE (n=8) and NCFBE (n=7) focus groups, where both groups reported similar dominant symptoms, including cough, sputum production, breathlessness, and fatigue. Breathlessness was the most frequently reported bothersome symptom (10/15 participants; 66.7%), including breathlessness on exertion (n=7/15; 46.7%). Fatigue and cough (general) were each reported as bothersome by 4/15 participants (26.7%). Across symptoms reported in the previous 7 days (CFBE: 90 reports; NCFBE: 146 reports), breathlessness on exertion (n=12/15), blocked nose (n=10/15), breathlessness on talking (n=9/15), coughing up mucus (n=9/15), and anxiety and throat clearing (both n=8/15) were reported by ≥8 participants. Core symptoms were consistent across CFBE and NCFBE, but burden differed: CFBE burden was high, but experienced as constant and manageable, while NCFBE was variable and unpredictable. Symptoms across both groups affected functioning, daily activities, and emotional wellbeing.
CONCLUSIONS: Findings from the focus groups demonstrated an overlapping symptom burden across CFBE and NCFBE, driven by cough, sputum production, breathlessness, and fatigue. While core symptoms were similar, differences in disease experience highlight the need for patient-centered approaches that address not only symptom reduction, but also stability, control, and daily functioning.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
PCR252
Topic
Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Patient Engagement, Patient-reported Outcomes & Quality of Life Outcomes
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, Respiratory-Related Disorders (Allergy, Asthma, Smoking, Other Respiratory)