Michael R. Loebinger, S. Aliberti, Charles Haworth, M. Janković Makek, Christoph Lange, N. Lorent, A. Papavasileiou, E. Polverino, Gernot Rohde, Nicolas Veziris, Dirk Wagner, J. van Ingen
{"title":"Patients at risk of NTM-PD who need testing evaluated using a modified Delphi process by European experts","authors":"Michael R. Loebinger, S. Aliberti, Charles Haworth, M. Janković Makek, Christoph Lange, N. Lorent, A. Papavasileiou, E. Polverino, Gernot Rohde, Nicolas Veziris, Dirk Wagner, J. van Ingen","doi":"10.1183/23120541.00791-2023","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Identifying patients at risk of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is challenging. Delays in NTM-PD identification and management are associated with declining lung function and increased morbidity and mortality.European NTM-PD experts (n=12) participated in a three-round modified Delphi process to score symptoms and comorbidities potentially associated with NTM-PD as reasons to test for NTM.Experts reached a consensus on the symptoms and comorbidities that should and should not prompt NTM testing. Requirements for testing were scored as high (mean ≥7), medium (mean 4–6), or low (mean ≤4). NTM testing should be undertaken when multiple suggestive symptoms are present simultaneously in all patients except those with cancer (7.3–8.8), or when radiology is indicative of NTM-PD (≥8.9). Symptoms of persistent sputum production, recurrent respiratory infection, and haemoptysis should prompt NTM testing, particularly in those with underlying respiratory diseases. Symptomatic patients with bronchiectasis or previous tuberculosis/NTM-PD or those being prescribed or undergoing long-term macrolide therapy for a respiratory condition should also be tested. Testing is not warranted in patients without an underlying respiratory disorder or in those without a history of respiratory disorders unless presenting with multiple symptoms.Assessing patients’ risk of NTM-PD is challenging. This Delphi consensus process provides insight into symptoms and clinical characteristics that should prompt NTM-PD assessment. Timely testing and diagnosis would enable initiation of appropriate management.","PeriodicalId":504874,"journal":{"name":"ERJ Open Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2024-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"ERJ Open Research","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00791-2023","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"","JCRName":"","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Identifying patients at risk of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is challenging. Delays in NTM-PD identification and management are associated with declining lung function and increased morbidity and mortality.European NTM-PD experts (n=12) participated in a three-round modified Delphi process to score symptoms and comorbidities potentially associated with NTM-PD as reasons to test for NTM.Experts reached a consensus on the symptoms and comorbidities that should and should not prompt NTM testing. Requirements for testing were scored as high (mean ≥7), medium (mean 4–6), or low (mean ≤4). NTM testing should be undertaken when multiple suggestive symptoms are present simultaneously in all patients except those with cancer (7.3–8.8), or when radiology is indicative of NTM-PD (≥8.9). Symptoms of persistent sputum production, recurrent respiratory infection, and haemoptysis should prompt NTM testing, particularly in those with underlying respiratory diseases. Symptomatic patients with bronchiectasis or previous tuberculosis/NTM-PD or those being prescribed or undergoing long-term macrolide therapy for a respiratory condition should also be tested. Testing is not warranted in patients without an underlying respiratory disorder or in those without a history of respiratory disorders unless presenting with multiple symptoms.Assessing patients’ risk of NTM-PD is challenging. This Delphi consensus process provides insight into symptoms and clinical characteristics that should prompt NTM-PD assessment. Timely testing and diagnosis would enable initiation of appropriate management.