Yi-Ming Chen1, Ching-Heng Lin2, Hsin-Hua Chen1, Wen-Cheng Chao3, Der-Yuan Chen4, Che-Chen Lin3, Tsai-Ling Liao5. 1. Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, 407, Taiwan; Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402, Taiwan; Ph. D Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402, Taiwan; Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, 407, Taiwan. 2. Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, 407, Taiwan; National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Science, Taipei, 112, Taiwan. 3. Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, 407, Taiwan. 4. Center of Rheumatology and Immunology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 404, Taiwan; College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan. 5. Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, 407, Taiwan; Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402, Taiwan; Ph. D Program in Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 402, Taiwan. Electronic address: tlliao@vghtc.gov.tw.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Tuberculosis (TB) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease have similar symptoms, which makes them difficult to distinguish clinically and leads to the danger of NTM disease being neglected. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of developing mycobacterial disease among cancer patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a population-based database. The multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was adjusted to identify independent factors contributing to the development of mycobacterial disease in the cancer cohort. RESULTS: The results showed that the increased risk of developing TB and NTM disease was 1.84-fold and 4.43-fold, respectively, in cancer patients compared with the general population. Advanced age (≥65years) and being male were risk factors for developing TB disease. There was a 4.09-fold significantly increased risk of TB disease within six months of a cancer diagnosis. Hematological cancer patients were most likely to develop mycobacterial disease. Younger hematological cancer patients (< 45years) had a higher risk of NTM disease development. CONCLUSION: There is an increasing risk of mycobacterial disease in cancer patients. We suggest that the possibility of mycobacterial disease in cancer patients should be assessed during the period of cancer therapy, particularly in those who have risk factors.
OBJECTIVES:Tuberculosis (TB) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease have similar symptoms, which makes them difficult to distinguish clinically and leads to the danger of NTM disease being neglected. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of developing mycobacterial disease among cancerpatients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a population-based database. The multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was adjusted to identify independent factors contributing to the development of mycobacterial disease in the cancer cohort. RESULTS: The results showed that the increased risk of developing TB and NTM disease was 1.84-fold and 4.43-fold, respectively, in cancerpatients compared with the general population. Advanced age (≥65years) and being male were risk factors for developing TB disease. There was a 4.09-fold significantly increased risk of TB disease within six months of a cancer diagnosis. Hematological cancerpatients were most likely to develop mycobacterial disease. Younger hematological cancerpatients (< 45years) had a higher risk of NTM disease development. CONCLUSION: There is an increasing risk of mycobacterial disease in cancerpatients. We suggest that the possibility of mycobacterial disease in cancerpatients should be assessed during the period of cancer therapy, particularly in those who have risk factors.