Evaluating the Prevalence and Incidence of Bronchiectasis and Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in South Korea Using the Nationwide Population Data

Abstract

Although the prevalence and incidence of bronchiectasis are rising worldwide, basic epidemiologic data have not been reported in Korea. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate epidemiological characteristics of bronchiectasis and NTM (nontuberculous mycobacteria) pulmonary diseases in Korea using the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) data. The relative risks of prevalence and incidence after adjusting for demographic characteristics were evaluated by multivariate Poisson regression. The result of this study showed the prevalence and incidence rates of bronchiectasis and NTM to be epidemiologically similar to each other with a few slight differences, while the prevalence rate of bronchiectasis was not significantly different by gender, and its incidence rate was significantly lower in women than in men. Both the prevalence and incidence of NTM were significantly higher in women than in men. Both the prevalence and incidence rates of bronchiectasis and NTM were significantly lower in the age group below 40–49 years, and significantly higher in the age groups thereafter. As there were gender differences of bronchiectasis and NTM, gender-sensitive risk management should be available. In addition, since both bronchiectasis and NTM increase in prevalence and incidence after the age of 40–49, early detection and intervention strategies targeting the appropriate age group are needed.

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria: Ecology and Impact on Animal and Human Health

“…The persistent incidence of pulmonary and extrapulmonary mycobacteriosis in children and adults is described herein for 2020–2022. Pulmonary mycobacteriosis is severe in individuals with a predisposition to infection and in individuals with comorbidities in the United States [ 22 ], South Korea [ 23 , 24 ], and China [ 25 ]. In particular, patients with cystic fibrosis are predisposed to colonization and NTM infection [ 26 , 27 ].…”

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Using the MYCO Test System and MIC Distribution of 8 Drugs against Clinical Isolates of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria from Shanghai

“…Infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are increasing worldwide ( 1 – 3 ), which is becoming a major new global health issue. Most NTM are intrinsically resistant or only partially sensitive to first-line antituberculosis (anti-TB) drugs.…”

Insights into Personalised Medicine in Bronchiectasis

“…It is increasing in prevalence both in the UK, Europe and across the globe [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Bronchiectasis has historically been underdiagnosed and long delays from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis of bronchiectasis have consistently been highlighted [ 7 ].…”