ABSTRACT
Objective: Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) is associated with respiratory symptoms and exacerbations. The aetiology of exacerbations is poorly studied. This retrospective study sought to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on exacerbation frequency in those with NCFB. Method(s): Health insurance claims data (Mar. 2018-Feb 2020;Mar 2019-Feb 2021) from US Optum Clinformatics DataMart, which includes claims covering 68.8 million US patients, were used. Eligible patients had >=1 NCFB diagnosis code, >=1 exacerbation in each of the 2 time windows, and no other respiratory diseases. Descriptive analyses and chi square tests were used to test differences (exacerbations & patients per category). Result(s): The study included 905 patients in the 2018-2020 evaluation and 954 patients in the 2019-2021 evaluation. Fewer patients had an increased exacerbation rate in 2019-2021 than 2018-2020 (29% vs 43%) and a greater number had a decreased exacerbation rate (63% vs 45%). Total exacerbations changed by -43% in 2019-2021 vs -3% in 2018-2020, as did inpatient visits (-37% vs -5%) and antibiotic use (-44% vs -3%). A higher proportion of patients with exacerbations at baseline had no exacerbations in 2020-2021 (57% vs 39%;Figure). Conclusion(s): Public health measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with lower NCFB exacerbation rates, potentially by decreasing exposure to viruses.