Abstract

Bronchiectasis, which is characterized by irreversibly damaged and dilated bronchi,causes significant symptoms, poor quality of life, and increased economic burdenand mortality rates. Despite its increasing prevalence and clinical significance, bronchiectasiswas previously regarded as an orphan disease, and ideal treatment of thisdisease has been poorly understood. The European Respiratory Society and BritishThoracic Society have recently published guidelines to assist physicians in the clinicalfield. Guidelines and reports suggest comprehensive management that includes bothnon-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment. Physiotherapy and pulmonaryrehabilitation are two of the most important non-pharmacologic therapies in bronchiectasispatients; long-term inhaled antibiotics and macrolide therapy have gained significantevidence in reducing exacerbation risk in frequent exacerbators. In this review, wesummarize recent updates on bronchiectasis treatment to prevent exacerbation andmanage clinical deterioration.