Trends In Bronchiectasis Among Medicare Beneficiaries In The United States, 2000-2007

Abstract

BRONCHIECTASIS Original Research Bronchiectasis is an uncommon, but potentially serious condition related to abnormal widening of the airway passages. Recurrent lung infections; foreign objects in the airways; and defective lung clearance mechanisms, such as the inability to properly clear mucus, can lead to bronchiectasis. 1,2 Symptoms of bronchiectasis include, but are not limited to, hemoptysis, chronic cough, sputum production, and shortness of breath. [2][3][4] Bronchiectasis treatment is aimed at minimizing further damage to the airways through infl ammation reduction, infection Background: Bronchiectasis is a potentially serious condition characterized by permanent and abnormal widening of the airways, the prevalence of which is not well described. We sought to describe the trends, associated conditions, and risk factors for bronchiectasis among adults aged Ն 65 years. Methods: A 5% sample of the Medicare outpatient claims database was analyzed for bronchiectasis trends among benefi ciaries aged Ն 65 years from 2000 to 2007. Bronchiectasis was identifi ed using International Classifi cation of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modifi cation claim diagnosis codes for acquired bronchiectasis. Period prevalence was used to describe sex-and race/ethnicityspecifi c rates, and annual prevalence was used to describe trends and age-specifi c rates. We estimated trends using Poisson regression and odds of bronchiectasis using multivariate logistic regression.

Prevalence of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease in U.S. Medicare Beneficiaries

“…For instance, improved mycobacterial diagnostics and increased use of imaging technology, such as computed tomography scans (28), may have resulted in more accurate detection and increased diagnosis of NTM infections among patients. Still, increases in NTM isolation, sensitization, and disease prevalence have been noted worldwide and throughout various points in time (4,(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24), suggesting that at least some of the observed increase is likely true and beyond the contribution of potential surveillance and diagnostic biases.…”

The role of current surgical therapy for pediatric/adolescent and adult patients with bronchiectasis

“…One recent study from the United States documented a significant rise in the prevalence of this condition. [6] Many reports also suggest that bronchiectasis is now recognized as an important and common cause of respiratory disease, and that it remains a potentially serious condition worldwide. [7][8][9][10] Bronchiectasis should be suspected in any individual who presents with persistent daily cough and mucopurulent sputum.…”

Bronchiectasis: how to be an orphan with many parents?

“…These European observations concur with prior data from the USA that demonstrated bronchiectasis is much more common than widely perceived. These US data suggested an even higher overall annual prevalence of 370 cases per 100 000 person-years or 537 cases per 100 000 person-years in women aged 80-84 years [7]. These data are from Medicare datasets and may not reflect the whole of the US population, nevertheless they confirm that this condition is both an international issue and more frequent than perceived.…”