Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (also known as environmental mycobacteria) are types of bacteria found widely in the environment, such as in water and in soil, but unlike other species of mycobacteria that cause tuberculosis and leprosy they do not usually cause disease in people. However, some groups of people are more susceptible to infection, in particular people with underlying chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. At the moment, we do not have data in the United Kingdom (UK) to suggest how common non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection is in the UK and in particular in those two groups of patients. We would like to better understand how common infections are and if they are changing over time.
The objective of this project is to explore the epidemiology (incidence and prevalence), of non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTMPD) in the general population and then specifically in people with bronchiectasis or COPD. This study will be undertaken using CPRD Vision data initially and then a sensitivity analysis will be undertaken using CPRD Vision linked with HES (hospital episode statistics) inpatient data to help us understand where and how infection is being recorded.
(Non-tuberculous mycobacterium) NTM incidence; NTM prevalence.
Jennifer Quint - Chief Investigator - Imperial College London
Jennifer Quint - Corresponding Applicant - Imperial College London
Chloe Bloom - Collaborator - Imperial College London
Eleanor Axson - Collaborator - Imperial College London
HES Admitted Patient Care