Table 1 Characteristics of the patients with pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex disease with or without sputum conversion
Variable | Patients with sputum conversion (n = 52) | Patients without sputum conversion (n = 20) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
Age, years | 61.5 ± 10.2 | 62.3 ± 10.8 | 0.85 |
Gender, female (%) | 38 (73.1) | 16 (80.0) | 0.54 |
Underlying disease | |||
Lung disease | 12 (23.1) | 7 (35.0) | 0.30 |
COPD | 3 (5.8) | 1 (5.0) | >0.99 |
Asthma | 3 (5.8) | 1 (5.0) | >0.99 |
Previous tuberculosis | 2 (3.9) | 3 (15.0) | 0.13 |
Previous malignant disease | 11 (21.2) | 1 (5.0) | 0.16 |
Diabetes mellitus | 5 (9.6) | 1 (5.0) | >0.99 |
Collagen vascular disease | 6 (11.5) | 3 (15.0) | 0.70 |
Immunosuppressive agents | 2 (3.9) | 3 (15.0) | 0.13 |
Inhaled corticosteroid | 2 (3.9) | 0 (0.0) | >0.99 |
Smoking status (ex or current) | 11 (21.2) | 3 (15.0) | 0.74 |
Alcohol drinking habit | 14 (26.9) | 3 (15.0) | 0.36 |
Environmental exposure | |||
Low soil exposure before treatment | 39 (75.0) | 12 (60.0) | 0.21 |
Low soil exposure during treatment | 44 (84.6) | 13 (65.0) | 0.10 |
Low soil exposure during observation | 37 (71.2) | 10 (50.0) | 0.09 |
Bathing (≥1 per day) | 50 (96.2) | 18 (90.0) | 0.31 |
Shower use in a bathroom | 41 (78.9) | 14 (70.0) | 0.43 |
Swimming in a pool | 2 (3.9) | 0 (0.0) | >0.99 |
Laboratory findings | |||
Negative smear | 37 (71.2) | 7 (35.0) | 0.005 |
M. avium | 39 (75.0) | 17 (85.0) | 0.60 |
M. intracellulare | 12 (23.1) | 3 (15.0) | |
M. avium + M. intracellulare | 1 (1.9) | 0 (0.0) | |
Radiographic findings | |||
Any size of cavity | 22 (42.3) | 13 (65.0) | 0.08 |
Large cavity (≥2 cm) | 7 (13.5) | 8 (40.0) | 0.02 |
Bronchiectasis | 46 (88.5) | 19 (95.0) | 0.66 |
Total length of follow-up time, months | 55.6 ± 21.2 | 49.1 ± 16.4 | 0.28 |