Chronic simple (non-obstructive) bronchitis

Chronic simple (non-obstructive) bronchitis is characterized by diffuse inflammation of the mucous membrane predominantly large and medium with bronchus, accompanied by hyperplasia of the bronchial glands, hypersecretion of mucus, increased sputum viscosity and impairment of the purifying 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 account for more than 2/3 of the total number of patients with chronic non-obstructive bronchitis. The most common chronic non-obstructive bronchitis reaches at the age of 50-59 years in men and 40-49 years in women.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6],

Causes and pathogenesis of chronic simple bronchitis

In the emergence of chronic non-obstructive bronchitis, several factors are important, the main one of which, apparently, is the inhalation of tobacco smoke (active and passive smoking). Constant irritation of the bronchial mucosa with tobacco smoke leads to a reorganization of the secretory apparatus, hypercrinia and increased viscosity of the bronchial secretion, as well as damage to the ciliated epithelium of the mucosa, as a result of which mucociliary transport, purging and protective functions of the bronchi are disrupted, which contributes to the development of chronic inflammation of the mucosa. Thus, smoking tobacco reduces the natural resistance of the mucous membrane and facilitates the pathogenic action of the viral-bacterial infection.

Chronic non-obstructive bronchitis - Causes and pathogenesis

[7], [8], [9]

Symptoms of chronic non-obstructive bronchitis

The clinical course of chronic non-obstructive bronchitis in most cases is characterized by long periods of persistent clinical remission and comparatively rare exacerbations of the disease (not more often 1-2 times per year).

The stage of remission is characterized by poor clinical symptoms. Most people with chronic non-obstructive bronchitis generally do not consider themselves to be sick, and a recurring cough with sputum is explained by the habit of smoking tobacco (smoker's cough). In this phase, cough, in fact, is the only symptom of the disease. It often occurs in the morning, after sleep and is accompanied by a mild mucous or mucopurulent sputum. Cough in these cases is a kind of protective mechanism that allows you to remove excess bronchial secretion accumulating overnight in the bronchi and reflects the already existing in the patient's morphofunctional disorders - hyperproduction of bronchial secretion and a decrease in the effectiveness of mucociliary transport. Sometimes such a periodic cough is provoked by inhalation of cold air, concentrated tobacco smoke or considerable physical exertion.

Chronic non-obstructive bronchitis - Symptoms

Diagnosis of chronic simple bronchitis

Catarrhal endobronchitis is usually not accompanied by a diagnostic change in the clinical blood test. Moderate neutrophilic leukocytosis with a shift of the leukocyte formula to the left and a slight increase in ESR, usually indicate an exacerbation of purulent endobronchitis.

Diagnostic value is the determination of the content of acute phase proteins (alpha-1-antitrypsin, alpha1-glycoprotein, a2-macroglobulin, haptoglobulin, ceruloplasmin, seromucoid, C-reactive protein) in the serum of blood, as well as total protein and protein fractions. An increase in the content of acute phase proteins, a-2 and beta-globulips, indicates the activity of the inflammatory process in the bronchi.

Chronic non-obstructive bronchitis - Diagnosis

[10], [11], [12]

Treatment of chronic simple bronchitis

When prescribing treatment for patients with exacerbation of chronic non-obstructive bronchitis, a set of measures should be envisaged to ensure:

• anti-inflammatory effect of treatment;
• restoration of drainage function of the bronchi;
• decreased intoxication;
• fight against a viral infection.

Chronic non-obstructive bronchitis - Treatment