A major new study from the BronchUK national consortium has highlighted an often-overlooked aspect of bronchiectasis: its impact on mental health. Anxiety and depression are common in people with bronchiectasis, and are linked to worse symptoms, more flare-ups and higher risk of hospitalisation.
The study
Researchers looked at 1,341 people with confirmed bronchiectasis from the Bronch UK study (to which UCLH contributes). Participants completed questionnaires assessing anxiety, depression and quality of life, while their lung function and disease severity were also measured. They were followed for at least a year to track flare-ups and hospital visits.
What they found
- Mental health challenges are common: Around 1 in 3 people had anxiety, 1 in 5 had depression and 15% experienced both.
- Lower quality of life: Those with anxiety or depression reported more severe symptoms and greater daily impact of their disease on their life.
- More flare-ups and hospitalisation: Anxiety and depression were linked to higher rates of exacerbations and hospital visits.
- Stronger disease severity: Participants with anxiety or depression tended to have worse lung function and more severe disease overall.
Why this matters
This study shows that mental health and lung health are closely connected. Anxiety and depression are not just side effects of chronic illness – they are linked to the burden that bronchiectasis causes individuals.
Moving forward
Current guidelines for bronchiectasis focus mostly on the lungs, but this research suggests patient education and mental health support could be part of routine care. By addressing anxiety and depression alongside physical treatment, healthcare teams can improve both quality of life and long-term outcomes.
You can read the full article here.
[Posted August 2025]