title: Factors associated with lung function decline in patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is paucity of risk factors on lung function decline among patients with non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) pulmonary disease in literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with NTM pulmonary disease between January 2000 and April 2011 were retrospectively selected. Sixty-eight patients had at least two pulmonary function tests within a mean follow-up period of 47 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-eight patients were included. They had a median age of 65 years and 65% had impaired lung function (Forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] <80% of predicted value). The mean FEV1 decline was 48 ml/year. By linear regression, younger age (beta: 0.472, p<0.001), initial FEV1>50% of predicted value (beta: 0.349, p = 0.002), male sex (beta: 0.295, p = 0.018), bronchiectasis pattern (beta: 0.232, p = 0.035), and radiographic score >3 (beta: 0.217, p = 0.049) were associated with greater FEV1 decline. Initial FEV1>50% of predicted value (beta: 0.263, p = 0.032) was also associated with greater FVC annual decline, whereas M. kansasii pulmonary disease was marginally associated with greater annual FVC decline (beta: 0.227, p = 0.062).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NTM pulmonary disease is associated with greater decline in lung function in patients who are young, male, with bronchiectasis, and with a high radiographic score. Special attention should be given to patients with these risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Meng-Rui
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ching-Yao
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Kai-Ping
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Li-Ta
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Keng
authors.forename: David Hung-Tsang
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Jann-Yuan
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Huey-Dong
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Li-Na
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chong-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005540:Forced Expiratory Flow Rates; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors