BACES score: a predictor of health-related quality of life and associated factors in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease

The evaluation of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is gaining importance among patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). We assessed whether the BACES score reflects HRQOL and associated factors in these patients. Data were collected from the nationwide NTM-KOREA prospective cohort of patients with NTM-PD who started antibiotic treatment and included symptoms, Quality of Life-Bronchiectasis (QOL-B) questionnaire, nutritional status using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), physical activity, body composition, spirometry, handgrip strength, and 6-min walking distance. Multivariate linear and logistic regressions were used for analysis. As the BACES score increased, so did the odds (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval]) of cough (1.24 [1.04-1.48]), dyspnea (1.69 [1.28-2.27]), weight loss (1.78 [1.36-2.36]), and malnutrition, defined as MNA-SF score ≤ 7 (1.71 [1.21-2.45]), and PNI < 45 (2.14 [1.66-2.81]). The QOL-B respiratory symptom score (estimate: -2.259, P = 0.002) and 6-min walking distance (estimate: -18.015, P < 0.001) were negatively associated with the BACES score. Moreover, the odds of adipopenia (1.08 [1.03-1.13]), possible sarcopenia (1.80 [1.35-2.45]), and sarcopenia (2.09 [1.48-3.03]) increased in women. The BACES score can estimate HRQOL and associated conditions at antimicrobial treatment initiation in patients with NTM-PD.