Improvement in Health-Related Quality of Life Following Antibiotic Treatment in Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease: Initial Analysis of the NTM-KOREA Cohort

Nakwon Kwak, Emily Henkle, Hyeontaek Hwang, Doosoo Jeon, Byung Woo Jhun, Kyung Wook Jo, Young Ae Kang, Hyung Jun Kim, Joong Yub Kim, Young Ran Kim, Yong Soo Kwon, Jae Ho Lee, Jeongha Mok, Youngmok Park, Tae Sun Shim, Hojoon Sohn, Jake Whang, Jae Joon Yim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. Improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has emerged as a priority in the management of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). We aimed to evaluate HRQOL and its changes after 6 months' treatment in patients with NTM-PD. Methods. The NTM-KOREA is a nationwide prospective cohort enrolling patients initiating treatment for NTM-PD in 8 institutions across South Korea. We conducted the Quality of Life-Bronchiectasis (QOL-B) at 6-month intervals and evaluated baseline scores (higher scores indicate better quality of life) and changes after 6 months' treatment. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with improvement in the QOL-B physical functioning and respiratory symptoms domains. Results. Between February 2022 and August 2023, 411 patients were included in the analysis. Baseline scores (95% confidence interval [CI]) for physical functioning and respiratory symptoms were 66.7 (46.7-86.7) and 81.5 (70.4-92.6), respectively. Among 228 patients who completed the QOL-B after 6 months' treatment, improvements in physical functioning and respiratory symptoms were observed in 61 (26.8%) and 71 (31.1%) patients, respectively. A lower score (adjusted odds ratio; 95% CI) for physical functioning (0.93; 0.91-0.96) and respiratory symptoms (0.92; 0.89-0.95) at treatment initiation was associated with a greater likelihood of physical functioning and respiratory symptom improvement, respectively; achieving culture conversion was not associated with improvement in physical functioning (0.62; 0.28-1.39) or respiratory symptoms (1.30; 0.62-2.74). Conclusions. After 6 months of antibiotic treatment for NTM-PD, HRQOL improved in almost one-third, especially in patients with severe initial symptoms, regardless of culture conversion.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1690-1697
Number of pages8
JournalClinical Infectious Diseases
Volume78
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 15 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • health-related quality of life
  • improvement
  • nontuberculous mycobacteria
  • outcome
  • treatment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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