Outcomes of various predefined interventions in stable patients with bronchiectasis
| Outcome | Interventions | Number of studies | Patients (n) | Effect size | 95% CI | I² (%) |
| Patients with exacerbations* | Corticosteroids (inhaled) versus placebo | 2 | 163 | 0.85 | 0.63 to 1.14 | 0 |
| Corticosteroids (inhaled) versus corticosteroids (inhaled)+long-acting ß2 agonist | 1 | 40 | 1.75 | 0.61 to 5.05 | – | |
| Mucoactive (mannitol) versus placebo | 2 | 828 | 0.89 | 0.79 to 1.00 | – | |
| Atorvastatin versus placebo | 1 | 60 | 0.50 | 0.25 to 0.99 | – | |
| Exacerbations (mean)† | Corticosteroids (inhaled) versus placebo | 2 | 163 | 0.81 | 0.63 to 1.04 | 0 |
| Mucoactive agents versus placebo | 3 | 1173 | 0.97 | 0.70 to 1.33 | 76.5 | |
| rhDNase versus placebo | 1 | 349 | 1.17 | 0.88 to 1.53 | – | |
| Mannitol versus placebo | 2 | 828 | 0.92 | 0.81 to 1.06 | 0 | |
| Corticosteroids (inhaled) versus corticosteroids (inhaled)+long-acting ß2 agonist | 1 | 40 | 1.75 | 0.43 to 7.02 | – | |
| PT versus no PT (usual care) | 2 | 29 | 0.71 | 0.19 to 2.55 | 0 | |
| Mortality* | Corticosteroids (inhaled) versus placebo | 3 | 203 | 0.39 | 0.07 to 2.09 | – |
| Mucoactive versus placebo | 1 | 349 | 3.05 | 0.32 to 29.06 | 0 | |
| Mannitol versus placebo | 2 | 828 | 0.69 | 0.06 to 8.18 | – | |
| Number of hospitalisation† | Corticosteroids (inhaled) versus placebo | 2 | 163 | 0.61 | 0.16 to 2.31 | 0 |
| Mannitol versus placebo | 1 | 461 | 0.60 | 0.35 to 1.01 | – |
*Relative risk.
†Incidence rate ratio.
PT, physiotherapy.