Real-world disease burden, mortality, and healthcare resource utilization associated with bronchiectasis

Objectives To assess real-world survival and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) in US patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFBE). Methods This retrospective analysis, using data from the STATinMED RWD Insights database from Jan 2015–Oct 2022, included adults with NCFBE (from Jan 2015–Oct 2021) and non-NCFBE comparators (from Jan 2015–Aug 2020); baseline characteristics were balanced by inverse probability treatment weighting. Outcomes included survival through end of study. HCRU was assessed over 12 months. Results 117,718 patients with NCFBE and 306,678 comparators were included. Patients with NCFBE had a 77% higher risk of death than comparators (hazard ratio [HR] 1.77 [95% CI 1.74-1.80]). Risk of death was higher among patients aged ≥65 years (vs 18–34 years; HR 11.03 [95% CI 10.36-11.74]), among Black patients (vs White; HR 1.53 [95% CI 1.50-1.55]), and among patients with comorbid COPD (HR 1.42 [95% CI 1.40-1.44]). Patients with NCFBE incurred higher all-cause and respiratory-related HCRU than comparators for outpatient office, outpatient hospital, emergency department (ED), inpatient and respiratory-related pulmonologist visits (all p < .0001); HCRU increased with exacerbations. Conclusions Patients with NCFBE have high mortality burden and incur high HCRU, both of which are further increased with exacerbations. Prevention and delay of exacerbations are key areas for improvement of disease management.