This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease increasing in US

The incidence and prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease appear to be on the rise among the U.S. population, according to new data published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

Using data from a national managed care claims database (Optum Clinformatics Data Mart), the researchers evaluated nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease diagnoses among the approximately 27 million members in the managed health plan from 2007 to 2016.

According to the results, from 2008 to 2015, the annual incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease increased from 3.13 to 4.73 per 100,000 person-years and the annual prevalence increased from 6.78 to 11.7 per 100,000 persons.

Certain subgroups appeared to experience larger increases in incidence and prevalence than others, the researchers noted. Specifically, among women, the annual incidence increased from 4.16 to 6.69 per 100,000 person-years and the annual prevalence increased 9.63 to 16.78 per 100,000 persons — increases that were higher than those observed among men. Similarly, for patients aged 65 years and older, the annual incidence rose from 12.7 to 18.37 per 100,000 person-years and the annual prevalence increased from 30.27 to 47.48 per 100,000 persons. Both of these increases were higher than those found among patients younger than 65 years.

Although there was geographical variation, the incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease increased by at least 10% in 29 states and the prevalence increased by at least 10% in 39 states. An overall increase was also observed at the national level, according to the data.

“Our findings add to the other recent studies from North America and other regions of the world that show nontuberculous mycobacterial disease is increasing,” Kevin L. Winthrop, MD, MPH, professor of infectious diseases and public health at the Oregon Health and Science University, said in a press release. “There are likely multiple reasons for these increases. The number of people at risk is increasing because the population is aging and more people are living with chronic lung diseases. Increasing environmental exposure is also likely a factor, as is greater awareness of nontuberculous mycobacterial disease among physicians.” – by Melissa Foster

Disclosures: This study was sponsored by Insmed Inc. and the Division of Intramural Research of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Healio Pulmonology could not confirm the authors’ relevant financial disclosures at the time of publication.