Talk:Bronchiectasis

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As a note, on this day, I have overhauled about 85% of this article. I have a few touch-ups to go, because I think part of the prevention and treatment sections are poorly written. I removed the unsourced tag, which I think is fair enough because of the properly sourced references. For anyone that cares, I promise that I'm not done here, I finish all of my articles to completion! Be patient, it's almost done, though. WiiAlbanyGirl 09:33, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

Ok, I'm done. If I find anymore stuff, I will certainly add it. Cheers! WiiAlbanyGirl 18:26, 22 June 2007 (UTC)

I think that stating that inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) will halt bronchiectasis is a bit misleading. There is some evidence from short term trials that they may reduce 24 hour sputum production or inflammatory markers, but nothing conclusive to indicate a reduction in the number of exacerbations (as indicated by transient increase in sputum volume or purulence), and no trials were followed up for long enough to provide any information on a reduction (or otherwise) in the rate of progression of the disease state. Although interestingly a number of trials investigating ICS in COPD (which shares many similarities to bronchiectasis, being neutrophil driven, and also may co-exist in a number of patients) show that ICS have no-effect whatsoever on the rate of lung function decline as evidenced by progressive FEV1 and FVC measurments, although they do reduce the rate of exacerbations (possibly offset by the increased incidence of pneumonia). Also i feel that grouping salbutamol (a beta-agonist bronchodilator), fluticasone (an ICS), and ipratropium (an anticholinergic) all with different modes of action in the same paragraph and concluding they clear the airways and reduce inflammation is possible a tad confusing.