The association of COPD and bronchiectasis is defined as the presence of at least four elements |
1. RADIOLOGICAL: Abnormal bronchial dilatation in one or more pulmonary segment in more than one lobe and specific radiological findings (airways visible within 1 cm of pleura and/or lack of tapering sign) plus |
2. OBSTRUCTION: a functional obstructive pattern (post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <0.7), plus |
3. SYMPTOMS: two or more of the following symptoms: cough, expectoration, dyspnoea, fatigue, frequent lower airway infections (≥2/year) plus |
4. EXPOSURE: current or past smoking habit (≥10 pack-years) or other toxic exposure (biomass, industrial, etc.) |
FEV1: forced expiratory volume in the 1 s; FVC: forced vital capacity.