BACKGROUND

The incidence of non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) has increased in the Netherlands. The fibro-cavitary disease manifestation predominates, as elsewhere in Europe. We studied treatment and outcome of this disease manifestation, as such data are scarce.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of all patients diagnosed with NTM-PD according to the American Thoracic Society statement between 2008 and 2013 in a reference clinic.

RESULTS

Sixty-three patients were included. Thirty-two (51%) were females and mean age was 60.8 years. Most patients had underlying COPD (73%). M. avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD) was most frequent (n = 38, 60.3%), followed by M. malmoense (n = 7) and M. kansasii (n = 6). Twenty-two patients had fibro-cavitary MAC-PD, 14 had nodular-bronchiectatic MAC-PD and 2 had other manifestations. Thirty-two (94%) patients treated for MAC-PD received a rifamycin-ethambutol-macrolide based regimen. Microbiological cure rates were lower for fibro-cavitary (52.4%) than for nodular bronchiectatic MAC-PD (100%; p = 0.03). Sixty-nine percent of treated patients experienced adverse events, most frequently gastrointestinal discomforts (71%), tinnitus (18%), hearing impairment (16%) and hepatotoxicity (18%).

CONCLUSIONS

Fibro-cavitary NTM-PD remains predominant, but is now diagnosed more frequently in women. Fibro-cavitary disease is harder to cure than nodular-bronchiectatic disease. Adverse events are frequent and can necessitate cessation of treatment.