Diabetes Worsens Bronchiectasis Outcomes, Increases Comorbidities and Infection Risk

Chronic respiratory diseases, including bronchiectasis, represent a significant global health burden, often complicated by various comorbidities that influence patient outcomes [1, 2]. Bronchiectasis, characterized by permanent dilation of the bronchi, is associated with recurrent infections and progressive lung damage [3]. Concurrently, diabetes mellitus is a widespread metabolic disorder known to increase susceptibility to infections and worsen the prognosis of numerous conditions, including tuberculosis and community-acquired pneumonia [4, 5, 6]. The interplay between diabetes and chronic lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is well-documented, with diabetes frequently impacting disease severity and mortality [2, 7]. While the adverse effects of diabetes in cystic fibrosis-related bronchiectasis are recognized, its specific impact on non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis has remained less clear, despite both conditions being associated with immune dysfunction [8, 9].