title: Increased risk of nontuberculous mycobacterial infection in asthmatic patients using long-term inhaled corticosteroid therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The risk of pneumonia is increased among COPD patients using inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). However, there is uncertainty regarding the association between long-term use of ICS and exacerbations of respiratory tract infections among asthmatic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control nested cohort study was performed to assess the association of asthma with nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among this cohort of 464 asthmatic patients, 14 experienced complications due to NTM infections, of which eight were caused by Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex, three by M. kansasii, one by M.terrae and the remaining two by unclassifiable scotochromogens. Asthmatic patients with NTM infections were older (67.1 ± 8.6 vs 58.8 ± 12.3 years, P < 0.01) and had more severe airflow limitation (FEV(1) %, 60.6 ± 10.3 vs 72.3 ± 18.3, P < 0.03) than those without NTM infections. All except one had received ICS treatment for more than 5 years, and 12 of the 14 patients used inhaled fluticasone propionate daily (four patients at a dose of 400 µg/day and eight patients at a dose >800 µg/day).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that the risk of NTM infection may be greater in asthmatic patients who are older, have more severe airflow limitation and receive higher doses of ICS therapy.
authors: Division of Respiratory Medicine, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. mhojo@hosp.ncgm.go.jp
authors: Masayuki
authors: M
authors: Hojo
authors: Motoyasu
authors: M
authors: Iikura
authors: Satoshi
authors: S
authors: Hirano
authors: Haruhito
authors: H
authors: Sugiyama
authors: Nobuyuki
authors: N
authors: Kobayashi
authors: Koichiro
authors: K
authors: Kudo
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents