The Bronchiectasis Understanding and Research on Daily Experiences and Needs survey provides the first multinational look at the condition's true burden.
Presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference in May 2026, the study co-created with patients reveals the disease's profound social and emotional impact. Bronchiectasis is a chronic, progressive lung condition marked by permanent airway damage, recurrent infections, and severe exacerbations.
The study surveyed 1,050 patients and 88 caregivers across the US, France, Germany, the UK, Italy, and Spain. A staggering 73.5% of patients reported two or more exacerbations in the past year. These episodes forced patients to miss an average of 13.2 workdays in only six months, with 31.5% making drastic financial or lifestyle changes.
Researchers found emotional wellbeing suffered the most. Anxiety about future attacks created a persistent mental burden even between flare-ups. Over 40% of patients rated the negative emotional impact as extremely high. Caregivers mirrored this distress, with over half reporting increased anxiety and depression.
The evidence presented by Eva Polverino of the Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca shows that each attack worsens a patient’s long-term prognosis. The findings underscore an urgent need to prioritize exacerbation prevention to protect both physical and emotional health.