Association of Epithelial Alarmins and Th2 Cytokines with Disease Severity in Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

Background and Objectives: Alarmins and Th2-driven inflammatory pathways may contribute to disease severity, exacerbation frequency, and mortality; however, their role in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis remains insufficiently defined. This study aimed to investigate the association between alarmins, Th2 inflammation, disease severity, exacerbations, and mortality in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Materials and Methods: A total of 79 adult patients with stable state non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis were prospectively enrolled. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, pulmonary function tests, radiological findings, and disease severity scores (Bronchiectasis Severity Index [BSI] and FACED score [FEV1, age, chronic colonization, extension, dyspnea]) were recorded. Serum levels of IL-25, IL-33, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-17A were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Associations between cytokine levels, disease severity, exacerbations, hospitalizations, and mortality were analyzed using correlation and logistic regression analyses.