An expert statment on clinical considerations before treating NTM lung infection

Objective: There are a number of factors that go into a recommendation to treat non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung infection (NTM-LI). The purpose of the study is to validate consensus recommendations on clinical considerations before treating a NTM-LI. Methods: We engaged respiratory physicians of the "Mycobacterioses" working group, part of the research and teaching group in pulmonology and infectious diseases (GREPI), on behalf of the SPLF (Societe de Pneumologie de Langue Francaise) in a Delphi survey concerning three areas of interest for physicians before they had to decide to treat (Diagnosis, Definition of the level of severity and Clinical assessment before deciding to treat) in order to create a decision algorithm. Each assertion was subjected to rating and free comments by these experts via an online questionnaire. The scores were weighted by the number of patients seen each year by the experts. The assertions having obtained a weighted average greater than 9/10 were validated. Otherwise they were subject to re-evaluation during round 2 until reaching 9/10. Results: A total of 37 experts responded. At first round, 9/38 assertions obtained a strong agreement (median ≥7 and 80% of responses >7). Other assertions from all domains, in particular the definition of the level of severity, were revised and new assertions added for submission to scoring in round 2. Fifty-one assertions were finally assessed. Agreement was strong in 78% of the assertions (40/51); moderate in 22% (11/51). There was no disagreement. Conclusion: We obtained a consensus from physicians about clinical considerations before deciding to treat NTM-LI and we propose a decision algorithm to guide a treatment decision.