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Chronic simple (non-obstructive) bronchitis
Last reviewed: 12.07.2025
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Chronic simple (non-obstructive) bronchitis is characterized by diffuse inflammation of the mucous membrane, mainly large and medium bronchi, accompanied by hyperplasia of the bronchial glands, hypersecretion of mucus, increased viscosity of sputum (dyscrinia) and a violation of the cleansing and protective function of the bronchi. The disease manifests itself as a cough with the separation of mucopurulent sputum.
The prevalence of chronic non-obstructive bronchitis among the adult population is quite high and reaches 7.3-21.8%. Men make up more than 2/3 of the total number of patients with chronic non-obstructive bronchitis. Chronic non-obstructive bronchitis reaches its greatest prevalence at the age of 50-59 years in men and 40-49 years in women.
[ Causes and pathogenesis of chronic simple bronchitis
Several factors are important in the development of chronic non-obstructive bronchitis, the main one of which is probably the inhalation of tobacco smoke (active and passive smoking). Constant irritation of the bronchial mucosa by tobacco smoke leads to the restructuring of the secretory apparatus, hypercrinia and increased viscosity of bronchial secretions, as well as damage to the ciliated epithelium of the mucosa, resulting in disruption of mucociliary transport, cleansing and protective functions of the bronchi, which contributes to the development of chronic inflammation of the mucosa. Thus, tobacco smoking reduces the natural resistance of the mucous membrane and facilitates the pathogenic effect of viral and bacterial infections.
Chronic non-obstructive bronchitis - Causes and pathogenesis
Symptoms of chronic non-obstructive bronchitis
The clinical course of chronic non-obstructive bronchitis in most cases is characterized by long periods of stable clinical remission and relatively rare exacerbations of the disease (no more than 1-2 times a year).
The remission stage is characterized by scanty clinical symptoms. Most people suffering from chronic non-obstructive bronchitis do not consider themselves ill at all, and periodically occurring cough with sputum is explained by the habit of smoking tobacco (smoker's cough). In this phase, cough is essentially the only symptom of the disease. It most often occurs in the morning, after sleep and is accompanied by moderate separation of mucous or mucopurulent sputum. Cough in these cases is a kind of protective mechanism that allows removing excess bronchial secretion that accumulates in the bronchi overnight, and reflects the patient's already existing morphofunctional disorders - hyperproduction of bronchial secretion and decreased efficiency of mucociliary transport. Sometimes such periodic cough is provoked by inhalation of cold air, concentrated tobacco smoke or significant physical exertion.
Where does it hurt?
What's bothering you?
Diagnosis of chronic simple bronchitis
Catarrhal endobronchitis is usually not accompanied by diagnostically significant changes in the clinical blood test. Moderate neutrophilic leukocytosis with a shift in the leukocyte formula to the left and a slight increase in ESR, as a rule, indicate an exacerbation of purulent endobronchitis.
Determination of the serum levels of acute phase proteins (alpha1-antitrypsin, alpha1-glycoprotein, a2-macroglobulin, haptoglobulin, ceruloplasmin, seromucoid, C-reactive protein), as well as total protein and protein fractions, is of diagnostic value. An increase in the levels of acute phase proteins, a-2- and beta-globulins indicates the activity of the inflammatory process in the bronchi.
What tests are needed?
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Treatment of chronic simple bronchitis
When prescribing treatment to patients with an exacerbation of chronic non-obstructive bronchitis, it is necessary to provide a set of measures to ensure:
- anti-inflammatory effect of treatment;
- restoration of the drainage function of the bronchi;
- reduction of intoxication;
- fight against viral infection.
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