The emerging association between bronchiectasis and systemic sclerosis: assessing prevalence and potential causality.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Bronchiectasis has been observed in association with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Theorised aetiology includes aspiration related to oesophageal dysmotility, immunosuppressant medication use and the direct effect of collagen deposition on airway calibre. AIMS: In this study we detail bronchiectasis prevalence in an SSc population who have had a high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) thorax. We assessed whether oesophageal dysmotility, demographic variables, SSc duration or subclass were associated with bronchiectasis. METHODS: Participants in the Australian Scleroderma Cohort Study (ASCS) with an HRCT were included. The ASCS provided demographic and clinical data. HRCT studies w..