Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a group of bacteria found widely in the environment, such as in soil or water. Unlike other species of mycobacteria that cause tuberculosis and leprosy, NTM do not usually cause disease in people. However, there are some populations that are more susceptible to disease secondary to infection with NTM, particularly patients with underlying chronic respiratory diseases (CRD), such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis. We would like to better understand the characteristics of patients who develop NTM disease (NTMD), including morbidity and mortality, especially within the CRD patient community. There is currently no published data relating to the national burden of NTMD in the UK.
The objective of this project is to characterise patients who have developed clinical disease secondary to NTM infection and compare their morbidity and mortality to patients without NTMD. A secondary analysis specifically looking at patients with comorbid CRD and NTMD will be undertaken, should numbers allow. CRD will be defined as having at least one of asthma, bronchiectasis, COPD, cystic fibrosis, or interstitial lung disease. We will conduct a nested case-control study to characterise risk factors for NTMD in both the general and CRD populations. We will conduct time-to-event analysis to compare mortality and hospitalisations in the general and CRD populations to the appropriate general populations. Also, if numbers allow, we will report based on specific CRD, including COPD and bronchiectasis.
First all-cause hospitalisation for Specific Aim #2; All-cause death from ONS data for Specific Aim #3.
Jennifer Quint - Chief Investigator - Imperial College London
Eleanor Axson - Corresponding Applicant - Imperial College London
Chloe Bloom - Collaborator - Imperial College London
Eleanor Axson - Collaborator - Imperial College London
HES Accident and Emergency;HES Admitted Patient Care;HES Outpatient;ONS Death Registration Data;Patient Level Index of Multiple Deprivation