Bronchiectasis Radiologically Indexed CT Score (BRICS)
Assesses bronchiectasis severity based on bronchial dilatation and number of segments affected by emphysema.
Refer to the text below the score for more information about its interpretation and the original study.
BRICS evaluates the clinical disease severity in bronchiectasis based on the parameters of bronchial dilatation and number of bronchopulmonary segments affected by emphysema.
It is the first radiological severity score correlating significantly with clinical parameters that can risk assess for severity, has been internationally validated and it is very simple to use in day to day practice.
BRICS scores range from 0 to 5 and are interpreted as follows:
| BRICS Score | Interpretation |
| 0 - 1 points | Mild bronchiectasis |
| 2 - 3 points | Moderate bronchiectasis |
| >3 points | Severe bronchiectasis |
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BRICS explained
BRICS evaluates the clinical disease severity in bronchiectasis based on the parameters of bronchial dilatation and number of bronchopulmonary segments affected by emphysema.
| BRICS Item | Answer choices | Points |
| Bronchial dilatation | Absent | 0 |
| Mild: lumen just > diameter of adjacent vessel | 1 | |
| Moderate: lumen 2-3 times > diameter of adjacent vessel | 2 | |
| Severe: lumen > 3 times diameter of adjacent vessel | 3 | |
| Number of bronchopulmonary segments with emphysema | Absent | 0 |
| 1 – 5 segments | 1 | |
| >5 segments | 2 |
BRICS scores range from 0 to 5 and are interpreted as follows:
| BRICS Score | Interpretation |
| 0 - 1 points | Mild bronchiectasis |
| 2 - 3 points | Moderate bronchiectasis |
| >3 points | Severe bronchiectasis |
The BRICS is the first radiological severity score correlating significantly with clinical parameters that can risk assess for severity.
About the original study
The BRICS was originally developed by thoracic radiologists and chest physicians in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is based on findings from 184 high resolution CT of the chest from a cohort of patients with idiopathic and postinfectious bronchiectasis.
A multivariable analysis of the Bhalla score and its ability in predicting clinical parameters of severity helped design the new score. Components of the Bhalla score that were found to be significantly associated with the disease severity markers were bronchial dilatation and number of bronchopulmonary segments with emphysema.
Further, the BRICS has been externally validated in six centres in UK and Europe, showing its value for day to day clinical practice use.
The receiver operating-characteristic curve values for BRICS in the derivation cohort were:
- 79 for percent predicted FEV1, respectively 0.81 in validation,
- 71 for sputum purulence, 0.70 in validation,
- 75 for hospital admissions per year, 0.70 in validation.
References
Original reference
Bedi P, Chalmers JD, Goeminne PC, Mai C, Saravanamuthu P, Velu PP, Cartlidge MK, Loebinger MR, Jacob J, Kamal F, Schembri N, Aliberti S, Hill U, Harrison M, Johnson C, Screaton N, Haworth C, Polverino E, Rosales E, Torres A, Benegas MN, Rossi AG, Patel D, Hill AT. The BRICS (Bronchiectasis Radiologically Indexed CT Score): A Multicenter Study Score for Use in Idiopathic and Postinfective Bronchiectasis. Chest. 2018; 153(5):1177-1186.
Other references
Tiddens H, Meerburg J, van der Eerden M, Ciet P. The Radiological Diagnosis of Bronchiectasis: What's in a Name? Eur Respir Rev. 2020; 29(156):190120
Specialty: Pulmonology
System: Respiratory
Objective: Stratification
Type: Score
No. Of Variables: 2
Year Of Study: 2018
Abbreviation: BRICS
Article By: Denise Nedea
Published On: March 21, 2024
Last Checked: March 21, 2024
Next Review: March 21, 2029