Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study
Abstract
Health-related quality of life among patients with HRCT-confirmed non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in Lahore, Pakistan.
Bronchiectasis is a chronic progressive respiratory disease characterised by irreversible bronchial dilatation, impaired mucociliary clearance and recurrent respiratory infection. The condition may impose substantial physical, social and psychological limitations, making health-related quality of life an important component of disease assessment.
A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 100 patients aged 45–80 years with HRCT-confirmed non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis at Gulab Devi Educational Complex, Lahore. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the Short Form-36 questionnaire. Data were analysed in SPSS version 26 using descriptive statistics and chi-square testing.
Participants had a mean age of 58.10 ± 8.86 years, and 54% were male. Poor general health was reported by 92%, while 64% reported deterioration in health compared with the previous year. Physical limitations were substantial: 97% reported inability to perform vigorous or moderate activities, 95% experienced work-related limitations, and 93% had difficulty with daily activities. Social activity was restricted in 62%, while 89% reported significant emotional distress. No statistically significant association was identified between gender and HRQoL domains.
Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis was associated with substantial impairment across physical, social and emotional dimensions of health-related quality of life. The findings support the need for multidisciplinary management strategies that address functional ability and psychological well-being alongside respiratory disease management.
HRCT-confirmed patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.
Eligible age range for participating patients.
Short Form-36 questionnaire used to assess health-related quality of life.
Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were applied.
Reported poor general health.
Reported deterioration compared with the previous year.
Unable to perform vigorous or moderate physical activities.
Reported limitations affecting work.
Reported substantial emotional distress.
Could not walk more than one mile.
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Cross-Sectional Observational Study
The study used an observational cross-sectional design to assess health-related quality of life among patients diagnosed with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.
Gulab Devi Educational Complex
The research was conducted in the Pulmonology Department of Gulab Devi Educational Complex, Lahore, Pakistan.
February–August 2025
The study was conducted from 10 February 2025 to 9 August 2025.
Purposive Sampling
Participants were recruited using a non-probability purposive sampling technique over the six-month study period.
100 Patients
The calculated minimum sample was approximately 96 participants using the stated sample-size formula. The final study included 100 patients with confirmed non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.
HRCT Confirmed
Participants required a confirmed diagnosis of bronchiectasis by high-resolution computed tomography and clinical assessment and were required to be clinically stable without an exacerbation during the preceding four weeks.
Clinical & Patient-Reported Data
Data collection included face-to-face interviews, anthropometric and clinical measurements, pulmonary-function parameters, medical-record review and assessment of health-related quality of life using the SF-36 questionnaire.
SPSS Version 26
Descriptive statistics were used for continuous and categorical variables. Chi-square testing assessed differences in physical functioning, emotional health and social activity between gender categories. Statistical significance was defined at p < 0.05.
Ethical Approval Obtained
The published article states that ethical
approval was obtained before data collection
and that participant information was managed
confidentially.
No specific ethics approval reference number
is stated in the published article.
Contributor Statement
Equal contributions.
Conflict of Interest & Funding
Conflict of Interest:
The authors declare no conflict of interest
related to the content, data sources or
affiliations presented in the paper.
Funding:
No funding received by the authors.
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Licence & Article Record
This article is published by
The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ)
under the Creative Commons Attribution
4.0 International licence (CC BY 4.0).
Persistent DOI:
10.64573/torgj2508003
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