Airway Clearance (AC) represents one of the main non-pharmacological treatments in hypersecretive pulmonary diseases. Evidence from randomized control trials is constantly growing and many international guidelines include AC in the management strategies in different respiratory disease, even if not supported by high-quality evidence.
AC is recommended to be performed by specialized respiratory physiotherapists, in order to guarantee high-quality care and research. However, access to a specialist in respiratory physiotherapy may be limited.
We suggest to read the scientific paper published last spring by Arietta Spinou and co-author, on AC management in people with bronchiectasis. This is a prospective observational study on 16 723 patients, using data from the European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration (EMBARC) Registry. Interesting findings on the use of AC and its geographic variability, that may reflect the lack of access to airway clearance devices and the lack of access to specialist physiotherapists.
Spinou A, Hererro-Cortina B, Aliberti S, et al. Airway clearance management in people with bronchiectasis: data from the European Bronchiectasis Registry (EMBARC). Eur Respir J 2024; 63: 2301689.
You can download the article here: https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.01689-2023
