Increasing burden of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease

Background: Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is a chronic respiratory condition with significant morbidity and mortality. Globally, the disease burden of NTM-PD is growing. This study reviews the current state of NTM-PD in Korea and worldwide, followed by a discussion of known risk factors.Current Concepts: In most countries, NTM-PD is not specified as a notifiable disease; thus, determining the actual incidence and prevalence has been challenging. When NTM-PD is defined using microbiological and diagnostic coding criteria, data consistently show a dramatic increase in the worldwide incidence and prevalence of NTM-PD. Although the cause of this increase is not completely understood, it is believed to result from a complex interplay of environmental and host-related factors that facilitates increased interactions between patients and the bacterium, as well as promoting mycobacterial survival within the hosts.Discussion and Conclusion: The global incidence, prevalence, and socioeconomic burden of NTM-PD is increasing, necessitating a comprehensive approach to understand this phenomenon. As a first step, the establishment of a coordinated system for identifying and managing patients with NTM-PD is imperative.