Research · Evidence · Interpretation
A curated library of bronchiectasis research — plus editorial notes interpreting what the science actually means for people who live with BX and train around it. Evidence first, always showing the work.
Indexed studies with plain-language summaries. Filter by topic or study type. Each entry links to the original paper.
Editorial posts interpreting specific studies — what they mean, what they don't, and what they mean for BX athletes.
Every claim links to its source. This isn't opinion dressed up as science — the papers are always one click away.
Landmark papers
Pulmonary rehabilitation improves exercise capacity and quality of life in chronic lung disease.
Read paper ↗Exercise training significantly improves exercise capacity and quality of life in BX — with no serious adverse events.
Read paper ↗Updated ERS guidelines recommend exercise and ACT as core management — antibiotics only when clearly indicated.
Read paper ↗All studies
Showing 8 of 8 studies
Pulmonary rehabilitation improves exercise capacity and quality of life in chronic lung disease.
The landmark joint statement establishing pulmonary rehabilitation as a core intervention for chronic lung disease, including bronchiectasis. Covers exercise training, education, and behaviour change.
Read paper ↗Exercise training significantly improves exercise capacity and quality of life in BX — with no serious adverse events.
Cochrane review of exercise training in bronchiectasis. Found meaningful improvements in exercise capacity and health-related quality of life. No serious adverse events reported.
Read paper ↗ACT improves QoL and reduces sputum — but no single technique works best for everyone.
Systematic review of airway clearance techniques (ACT) in bronchiectasis. Finds ACT improves quality of life and reduces sputum burden. No single technique proven superior for all patients.
Read paper ↗Updated ERS guidelines recommend exercise and ACT as core management — antibiotics only when clearly indicated.
The most current ERS clinical guidelines for bronchiectasis management. Covers diagnosis, airway clearance, antibiotic use, mucoactive therapy, and exercise. Essential reference.
Read paper ↗Global adult prevalence estimated at ~680 per 100,000 — higher than most clinicians realise.
First quantitative global synthesis of BX prevalence. Estimated at 680 per 100,000 adults — considerably higher than previously assumed, and likely an underestimate.
Read paper ↗Fatigue in BX is severe, underreported, and not fully explained by lung function alone.
Documents the significant burden of fatigue in non-CF bronchiectasis. Found fatigue is associated with worse quality of life independent of lung function — meaning it's not simply explained by airway obstruction.
Read paper ↗Earlier treatment of exacerbations leads to faster recovery and less cumulative damage.
Reviews the definition, recognition, and impact of exacerbations in non-CF bronchiectasis. Highlights that early treatment of exacerbations is associated with better outcomes.
Read paper ↗BX prevalence rose 40% in a decade — largely due to improved detection, not true incidence increase.
Large UK population study showing a 40% increase in BX prevalence over 10 years. Demonstrates significant diagnostic delay and underdiagnosis, particularly in primary care.
Read paper ↗No studies yet in this category.
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Editorial
Interpretation, opinion, and plain-language breakdown of research that matters for BX athletes. Each note is anchored to specific studies in the library above.
The 2021 Cochrane meta-analysis on exercise in bronchiectasis is one of the most important papers in the field. Here's what it says, what it doesn't say, and what it means if you're trying to train.
Breathlessness gets all the attention. But in my experience — and in the research — fatigue is the symptom that most shapes what a day with BX actually looks like.
The European Respiratory Society updated their BX management guidelines in 2023. I read the whole thing. Here's the plain-language version for people who actually live with this.
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