Work

Language and racial disparities in treatment initiation for patients with pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacteria

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Disparities in testing and treatment of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria (P-NTM) warrant further investigation into language and race's impact on treatment initiation. The objective of the study is to compare the length of treatment initiation for P-NTM patients assessed in the pulmonary and infectious diseases clinics through language and race. RESULTS: The cohort included 63 patients; 28 patients received treatment, and 35 patients did not receive treatment. According to the IDSA/ATS guidelines for diagnosis of pulmonary NTM, 55% of patients met all three categories, 40% of patients did not fulfill all three categories and 5% of patient charts were inconclusive. Charts were considered inconclusive if a comprehensive NTM evaluation was not conducted, such as no CT imaging, only one culture sent, or lost to follow up.

Source: BMC Research Notes

DOI: 10.1186/s13104-025-07126-1

Authors: Olabimpe Asupoto, Shamsuddin Anwar, Leo K. Westgard, Majd Alsoubani, Tine Vindenes, Alysse G. Wurcel

Institutions: Tufts Medical Center, Boston Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Mycobacterium research and diagnosis

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,690