Evaluating current bronchiectasis care in Italy according to the 2025 European respiratory society recommendations.

BACKGROUND

National quality standards for bronchiectasis in Italy were last defined in 2016. The publication of the 2025 European Respiratory Society (ERS) guidelines offers the opportunity to evaluate current clinical practice against updated evidence-based recommendations.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the extent to which Italian bronchiectasis centers align with key statements from the 2025 ERS guidelines.

DESIGN

National, multicenter, cross-sectional observational study based on a structured survey of Italian bronchiectasis centers, aligned with the 2025 ERS recommendations.

METHODS

A national survey was conducted across Italian bronchiectasis centers affiliated with the Italian Bronchiectasis Patient Association (AIB). The structured questionnaire assessed center organization, diagnostic resources, multidisciplinary care, and alignment with ten predefined core management domains derived from the 2025 ERS recommendations.

RESULTS

Most centers reported universal access to minimum bundle etiological tests, with improved capacity compared with 2016. However, specialized diagnostics for rare causes, structured physiotherapy programs, and written self-management plans remain inconsistently available. Long-term inhaled antibiotics and macrolides were widely prescribed, though access barriers persist. Monitoring practices were heterogeneous.

CONCLUSION

Despite clear progress, substantial variability persists in physiotherapy access, rare disease diagnostics, self-management tools, and routine monitoring. Updated Italian quality standards aligned with ERS 2025 principles are warranted.