Nontuberculous pulmonary mycobacteriosis in Denmark: incidence and prognostic factors

TLDR: NTM disease incidence has remained unchanged in Denmark over the past 12 years and negative prognostic factors include high levels of comorbidity, advanced age, male sex, and M. xenopi.

Abstract: Rationale: Few population-based data are available regarding nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) pulmonary disease epidemiology and prognosis.Objectives: To examine NTM pulmonary colonization incidence, disease incidence, and prognostic factors.Methods: All adults in Denmark with at least one NTM-positive pulmonary specimen during 1997 to 2008 were identified using national medical databases and were categorized as having possible or definite NTM disease or colonization.Measurements and Main Results: We calculated annual age-standardized NTM incidence rates and adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of death associated with patient age, sex, comorbidity, NTM species, and NTM disease status. Of 1,282 adults with 2,666 NTM-positive pulmonary specimens, 335 (26%) had definite NTM disease, 238 (19%) possible disease, and 709 (55%) colonization only. NTM incidence rates decreased until 2002, followed by an increase from 2003 to 2008 (mean annual rate per 100,000 person-years: NTM colonization, 1.36; NTM disease, 1.08). Fiv...