{"id":2483,"date":"2018-08-24T16:09:47","date_gmt":"2018-08-24T14:09:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alpha1-deutschland.org\/?page_id=2483"},"modified":"2026-08-19T13:16:31","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T11:16:31","slug":"alpha-1-bronchiektasen","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/alpha1-deutschland.org\/en\/alpha-1-bronchiektasen","title":{"rendered":"Alpha-1 & Bronchiectasis"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and bronchiectasis<\/span><\/h1>\n

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (alpha-1) is a genetic disorder that can damage lung tissue. While alpha-1 is primarily associated with pulmonary emphysema, there is growing evidence that it may also contribute to the development of bronchiectasis. Both conditions are chronic, progressive, and inflammatory lung diseases.<\/p>\n

This page explains what bronchiectasis is, its connection to Alpha-1, and what scientific findings exist on the subject.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t

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Bronchiectasis<\/a><\/div><\/div>
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Results and FAQs from the ELF Bronchiectasis Conference of March 2026<\/span><\/a>

Results and FAQs from the ELF Bronchiectasis Conference of March 2026<\/span><\/h3>June 18, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Inhalator\"<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Nebulizers and inhalers \u2013 Information from the Europeam Lung Foundation<\/span><\/a>

Nebulizers and inhalers \u2013 Information from the Europeam Lung Foundation<\/span><\/h3>March 18, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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New information page from the ELF on the topic of 'sputum'\u201a<\/span><\/a>

New information page from the ELF on the topic of 'sputum'\u201a<\/span><\/h3>January 8, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Bronchiectasis and its association with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD)<\/span><\/a>

Bronchiectasis and its association with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD)<\/span><\/h3>November 19, 2025<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Remember: Alpha1 and bronchiectasis!<\/span><\/a>

Remember: Alpha1 and bronchiectasis!<\/span><\/h3>September 10, 2025<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t
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What are bronchiectasis?<\/span><\/h1>\n

definition<\/span><\/h3>\n

Bronchiectasis is an irreversible widening (\u201eectasis\u201c) of the bronchi, often accompanied by thickening of the airways and pouches in which thick mucus can collect.<\/p>\n

Bronchiectasis is diagnosed when the bronchi (B) is dilated relative to the accompanying artery (A), with a B\/A ratio greater than or equal to 1. Symptoms such as increased mucus production, frequent coughing, recurrent infections, and progressive deterioration of lung function characterize this disease, which results from a chronic inflammatory response.<\/p>\n

The bronchial walls, called cilia, can no longer properly remove mucus, which promotes the growth of bacteria and often leads to infections.<\/p>\n

Bronchiectasis, along with asthma and COPD, is one of the most common chronic lung diseases \u2013 yet it remains largely unknown to the public.<\/p>\n

This page focuses primarily on bronchiectasis in adults, which is referred to as non-cystic (non-CF) bronchiectasis.<\/p>\n

Prevalence<\/span><\/h3>\n

In Germany, the prevalence is approximately 1:1,000 (F. Ringshausen<\/a>This means that more than 100,000 people in Germany suffer from bronchiectasis, with women being slightly more frequently affected than men. The incidence of bronchiectasis increases with the age of the patients.<\/p>\n

causes<\/span><\/h3>\n

Bronchiectasis can be triggered by various factors, including:<\/p>\n