Correlating Reiff Scores with Clinical, Functional, and Prognostic Factors: Characterizing Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis Severity - Validation from a Nationwide Multicenter Study in Taiwan

<bold>Background:</bold> Our study aimed to validate a simplified radiological scoring system, derived from a modified Reiff score, to assess its correlation with clinical symptoms and prognostic outcomes in Taiwanese with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB). <bold>Methods:</bold> This large multicenter retrospective study, conducted in Taiwan, focused on individuals diagnosed with NCFB confirmed through HRCT scans. We compared the clinical characteristics of different types of bronchiectasis (cylindrical, varicose, and cystic) and established correlations between the severity of clinical parameters, including symptom scores, pulmonary function, pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization, exacerbation and admission rates, and HRCT parameters using modified Reiff scores. <bold>Results:</bold> Data from 2,753 patients were collected and divided into three groups based on the severity of modified Reiff scores: mild, moderate, and severe. With increasing HRCT severity, a significant correlation was observed with reduced forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (p < 0.001), heightened clinical symptoms (p < 0.001), increased pathogen colonization (pseudomonas aeruginosa) (p < 0.001), and a higher rate of hospitalizations per year (p < 0.001). Following multivariate analysis, elderly age, pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia, and hospitalizations per year emerged as the only independent predictors of mortality. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Based on our large cohort study, the simplified CT scoring system (Reiff score) can serve as a valuable adjunct to clinical parameters in predicting disease severity and prognosis among patients with NCFB.