Think NTM
Raise your index of suspicion—bronchiectasis is a major risk factor for nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease. 63% (1158/1826) of bronchiectasis patients had coexistent NTM lung disease or NTM isolation in an analysis of the US Bronchiectasis Research Registry1,2
Test for NTM
Identify NTM sooner— it takes ~20 months from the first NTM-related symptom or diagnostic procedure for patients to receive an NTM diagnosis3,4
Treat NTM
The 2020 NTM Treatment Guidelines recommend treatment initiation rather than "watchful waiting" in diagnosed patients.* Retrospective studies have shown that most MAC patients who convert on treatment do so within 6 months after starting treatment5-8
*The decision should be individualized based on a combination of clinical factors.5