Abstract
Non Cystic-Fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis is recognised as an important cause of chronic respiratory morbidity in developing countries and in Indigenous people of affluent countries. Over the last decade, it is also increasingly diagnosed and recognised as an important cause of respiratory illness in the non-Indigenous populations of affluent countries. Yet it is a neglected condition with gaps in knowledge in major clinical issues pertaining to its diagnosis, management and outcome, especially in regard to pulmonary exacerbations.Aims
The specific aims of this thesis were:
1. To determine the range of bronchial to accompanying arterial diameter ratio in children undergoing multi-detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) of the chest for non-pulmonary conditions.
2. To examine the burden of disease and psychological influences (anxiety, depression, stress) in parents of children with bronchiectasis and to assess the magnitude of changes in these parameters with pulmonary exacerbations.
3. To study the determinants of changes in the lung function and growth parameters in children with bronchiectasis over a three and five year period.
4. To describe the microbiologic and cellular constituents of BAL fluid at the time of diagnosing bronchiectasis.
5. To ascertain the clinical and investigational features of pulmonary exacerbations in bronchiectasis.
6. To formulate a robust, clinically relevant, repeatable and easy to use definition of pulmonary exacerbation in children with bronchiectasis.
7. To identify and determine the point prevalence of respiratory viruses associated with pulmonary exacerbations in children with bronchiectasis.
8. To perform systematic reviews using Cochrane methodology to evaluate the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and non-steroid anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in children and adults with bronchiectasis. ...
Note: Please note that all the articles in the thesis are available in hard copy only.
| Date of Award | Sept 2011 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Supervisor | Anne Chang (Supervisor) |