Non tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease in the elderly

<b>Introduction:</b> The incidence of non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary disease is increasing worldwide. Elderly population with comorbidities, inmunosenescence and high susceptibility to these infections is also growing Main aim: To investigate the incidence of NTM pulmonary disease in adults aged 70 years or older. Secondary aim: to describe clinical aspects and treatment outcome of pulmonary NTM disease in this population <b>Material and Methods:</b> Retrospective study. We reviewed all NTM isolates between 2001 and 2016 from data provided monthly by microbiology service in an area of 400.000 inhabitants. We collected demographic, clinical-radiological and microbiology data and followed the patients for at least one year <b>Results:</b> During the study period 263 patients have at least 1 NTM isolation. 79 of them were &gt;70 years old. Mean annual rate of NTM lung disease was 2,5 per 100.000 persons year/in those younger than 70, and 4,5/10⁵ in those 70 and older. Main results are shown in the table below. <b>Conclusions:</b> NTM pulmonary disease is higher in people aged over 70 years and represents a challenge for the future: M. avium is more frequently isolated in elderly than in young patients A significant proportion of elderly patients who met 2007 ATS criteria do not receive treatment (33%) Clinical cure rate is statistically lower in elderly patients