Relationship between FACED and bronchiectasis severity index in the evaluation of bronchiectasis severity: cross-sectional study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In the same patients with bronchiectasis, it is aimed to compare the bronchiectasis severity scoring questionnaires (Bronchiectasis Severity Index [BSI] and FACED), which are two different scorings validated for the prognosis of the disease.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 94 patients (51 males and 43 females) who were diagnosed with bronchiectasis. The severity of bronchiectasis was calculated according to FACED and BSI scores of all patients and relationship between the severity of both scorings were examined. Wilcoxon test was applied to paired samples after both scorings were grouped according to the bronchiectasis severity.

RESULTS: Frequency of patients with mild, moderate, and severe FACED was 59 (62.8%), 27 (28.7%), and 8 (8.5%), respectively. There were 41 (43.6%), 23 (24.5%), and 30 (31.9%) patients with low, intermediate, and high BSI was, respectively. The mean scores of FACED and BSI were 2.0 +/- 1.9 and 6.6 +/- 4.8, respectively. A statistically significant relationship was observed between FACED and BSI scores (P < 0.001). Both scores were statistically different when evaluated according to the severity of bronchiectasis (P < 0.001), and the FACED scale illustrated the lowest scores. The percentage of similarity was found 62.7% among the both scales. It was showed a 68% similarity between the two scales by Kappa test (P < 0.001).

DISCUSSION: Patients tend to score with a higher BSI compared to the FACED score, although the correlation between the two scales is statistically significant. This situation may be due to evaluation of body mass index, hospitalization, exacerbations, chronic colonization by other microorganisms, and the presence of cystic bronchiectasis in the BSI score.