Beyond borders: Insights into NTM pulmonary disease's global challenge

Abstract

The non-tuberculous mycobacterium pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is a global challenge with increasing prevalence and incidence. Patients with underlying pulmonary diseases, immunocompromised, malignancy, cardiovascular diseases and underweight are at risk of developing NTM-PD. It has significant morbidity and mortality. NTM-PD treatment is complex and inadequate due to drug resistance, drug related side-effects, limited drug options, poor compliance, and low success rate. NTM-PD poses a huge economic burden on health care services and individuals due to frequent exacerbations, significant respiratory symptoms with complications, frequent health care service utilisation and prolonged costly treatment. The prevalence in the elderly population (>65 years) more than doubled over the past 2 decades. The incidence of childhood NTM-PD has increased significantly. The emergence of person to person transmission of M abscessus is highly alarming. The anticipated rise in global ageing, international travelling and climate change necessitate the need to better understand epidemiological trends, clinical consequences, prognostication and better treatment to the global challenge of NTM-PD.