NON-TUBERCULOUS MYCOBACTERIA IN THE ELDERLY

Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease is an infectious condition that often occurs in patients with predisposing respiratory diseases, as well as immunocompromised and elderly patients. The aim of this study is to determine the characteristics of these diseases in the elderly population. <bold>Methods:</bold> Multicenter observational study, based on retrospective data from 2012 to 2017 and prospective data between 2018 and 2020, in four tertiary hospitals in northern Spain. All patients aged ≥18 years with NTM isolation from respiratory samples were included. Demographic characteristics, medication, and comorbidities were collected. Also data on symptoms, microbiology and radiology. If patients met criteria for NTM lung disease (ATS 2020), treatment and outcomes were studied. Patients were followed for at least 2 years and mortality and relapse were analyzed. <bold>Results:</bold> 396 patients were analyzed: 140 (35%) were over 75 years of age. 129 patients met disease criteria, (28% elderly). The number of isolates relative to population is higher in people over 75 years of age (10.3/100,000 inhabitants vs 2.4/100,000 in minors), as well as the disease rate (2.68/100,000 vs. 0.8/100,000). Table 1: risk factors, mycobacteria isolates, and clinical and treatment-related variables for all patients in the study. Table 2: variables related to patients with disease criteria (ATS 2020). <bold>Conclusions:</bold> -In young patients, NTM is isolated by BAS/BAL more than in the elderly and in the elderly more in sputum -Elderly patients have a higher number of isolates, but fewer cases have disease criteria -Despite having disease criteria, elderly patients do not receive treatment more frequently. Despite this, there are no significant differences in healing or mortality