Which score is better in association with exercise capacity and health status in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis patients?

BACKGROUND/AIM Two different scoring systems were developed to determine the severity of bronchiectasis: 1. FACED scoring 2. Bronchiectasis Severity Index (BSI). In this study, we aim to compare these two scoring systems according to the 6-minute walking distance and disease-specific health status questionnaire in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB). MATERIALS AND METHODS Smoking history, emergency and hospital admissions, body mass index were obtained from NCFB patients admitted to our hospitals? pulmonary rehabilitation unit between 2013 and 2018. Detailed pulmonary function tests were performed to all participants. Dyspnea perceptions were determined according to mMRC dyspnea scale. 6 minutes? walk test was used to determine exercise capacity. Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) was applied to determine health status. Both FACED and BSI scores were calculated for all participants. RESULTS There were a total of 183 participants, 153 of whom were men. A significant and strong correlation was found between FACED and BSI scores. As the severity of bronchiectasis increased, walking distance was significantly decreased and health status was significantly worsened by both FACED and BSI scoring. A statistically significant but weak negative correlation was found between FACED score and walking distance. There was a significant negative correlation between BSI and walking distance and a stronger negative correlation than FACED. Similarly, there was a significant negative correlation between health status and both FACED and BSI, but this correlation was stronger in the BSI score. CONCLUSION Although both FACED and BSI scores were negatively correlated with walking distance and health status in patients with NCFB, BSI was more associated.