Increased exacerbations of bronchiectasis following recovery from mild COVID‐19 in patients with non‐cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

Abstract Background and Objective Respiratory viral infection is a common trigger of bronchiectasis exacerbation. Knowledge of the intermediate to long‐term effect of COVID‐19 on bronchiectasis is poor. Methods A retrospective cohort study of patient records was conducted to assess the frequency of bronchiectasis exacerbation following recovery from mild‐to‐moderate COVID‐19. The exacerbation frequency at baseline, using 2019 and 2019–2021 data, was compared with that during the 1 year following recovery. Results A total of 234 adult patient records who had a confirmed diagnosis of bronchiectasis were identified, of whom 52 (22.2%) were classified as the COVID‐19 group. Patients with COVID‐19 had significantly more frequent annual exacerbations of bronchiectasis (total exacerbations and hospitalizations). Compared with 2019–2021 data, the total exacerbation frequency decreased by 0.1 ± 0.51 per year among non‐COVID‐19 patients but increased by 0.68 ± 1.09 per year among the COVID‐19 group ( p < 0.001). Compared with 2019 only data, exacerbation frequency decreased by 0.14 ± 0.79 per year among non‐COVID‐19 patients but increased by 0.76 ± 1.17 per year in the COVID‐19 group, p < 0.001. The annual frequency of hospitalization for bronchiectasis increased by 0.01 ± 0.32 per year among non‐COVID‐19 patients and increased by 0.39 ± 1.06 per year in the COVID‐19 group ( p < 0.001) compared with 2019 to 2021 data. When compared with only 2019 data, it remained unchanged at 0 ± 0.43 per year among non‐COVID‐19 patients but increased to 0.38 ± 1.12 per year among COVID‐19 patients ( p < 0.001). Conclusion Mild‐to‐moderate COVID‐19 was associated with an increase in frequency of bronchiectasis exacerbation and frequency of hospitalizations following recovery.