Hospitalized Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease Patients and Their Outcomes in the United States: A Retrospective Study Using National Inpatient Sample Data

Background: Nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is an emerging public health concern with increasing incidence and prevalence. Despite its chronic and progressive nature, there is a notable gap in research on the factors influencing hospital outcomes in this patient population. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to analyze hospitalizations of adult patients diagnosed with NTM-PD. We examined patient demographics, comorbidities, and hospital characteristics to identify predictors of hospital length of stay (LOS) and discharge disposition. Multivariate negative binomial regression and logistic regression models were employed to assess the impact of these variables. Results: The study included 1167 hospitalized NTM-PD patients, with a mean age of 66.9 years. The overall mean LOS was 7.4 days, with an average hospital cost of $15,606. Discharge to a nursing home was associated with a 78% longer LOS (incidence rate ratio=1.78, p<0.0001). Key predictors of extended LOS included male gender, private insurance status, higher comorbidity burden, and increased number of procedures. Patients discharged to nursing homes were more likely to be older males with complex medical profiles. Interestingly, conditions such as malignancy and COPD, while linked to longer LOS, were associated with a decreased likelihood of discharge to a nursing home. Conclusion: Our study highlights significant predictors of LOS and discharge outcomes in NTM-PD patients, emphasizing the need for personalized and proactive management. These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions in the outpatient setting to reduce hospital admissions and improve patient outcomes.