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Objectives: Participant retention is essential in prospective studies to minimize bias and maintain validity. This study aimed to estimate retention rates and identify factors influencing attrition in a multicenter cohort (PROCEED) of US adults with acute/recurrent acute pancreatitis (AP/RAP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP). Methods: Participants from the PROCEED study with AP/RAP or CP eligible for follow-up within the designated visit window were included. Retention was defined as completing at least one follow-up visit during the observation period. Retention was analyzed by follow-up mode (in-person and/or medical record review) and disease type (AP/RAP and CP). Retention factors were assessed using univariate analyses (Wilcoxon rank-sum for continuous variables, χ 2 /Fisher's exact for categorical) and multivariable logistic regression. Missing data were adjusted using multiple imputations in statistical modeling. Results: Among 1279 participants (AP/RAP: n=632, median age 47, 48.9% female; CP: n=647, median age 54, 46.5% female), we observed high cumulative and annualized retention rates, with improved retention when incorporating medical record reviews. In multivariable regression analyses, older age was statistically significantly associated with in-person retention in the AP/RAP group ( P =0.0001), while a higher self-reported physical health (assessed with PROMIS Global Health Physical Health T-score) was a key predictor of retention in CP ( P =0.034). Conclusions: Integrating medical records review substantially enhanced retention rates, enabling robust analyses of pancreatitis outcomes and disease progression. Older age and better self-reported physical health were key predictors of retention, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to enhance engagement among younger participants and those with poorer health in long-term studies.

Abstract Introduction Persistent dyspnea increases the risk of disability and impairs quality of life in older patients with bronchiectasis. The impact of dyspnea and fatigue on patients with bronchiectasis in long term follow-up has not been adequately established. We sought to determine if fatigue and higher-grade dyspnea are associated with worse clinical outcomes in 5-years of longitudinal follow-up. Methods We analyzed data collected from a prospective cohort of adult patients with bronchiectasis enrolled in the US Bronchiectasis and Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Research Registry. Patients with a modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea score collected at baseline and during 3-5 years of follow-up were included and stratified as mMRC<2 versus mMRC ≥2. Kruskal-Wallis, independent sample t-tests and chi-square tests were used to test the differences in medians and means for continuous variables and associations between categorical variables, respectively, between the baseline mMRC groups and bronchiectasis severity index (BSI) components at follow-up. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between dyspnea and clinical outcomes (exacerbations and hospitalizations) at follow-up. Results 1185 adult patients with bronchiectasis met the inclusion criteria. The median age (interquartile range) was 76 (68 to 83) years. At baseline, patients with mMRC ≥2 had a higher proportion of co-existing diagnoses such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), otitis/rhinosinusitis, rheumatologic disease, and pneumonia compared to patients with mMRC <2 (all p<0.05, data not shown). Furthermore, patients with mMRC > 2 compared to patients with mMRC <2 had higher prevalence of fatigue, acute exacerbations and pulmonary related hospitalizations, and lower mean percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) at follow-up (all p< 0.05) (Table 1). Interestingly, body mass index was slightly higher among those with baseline mMRC ≥2 compared to mMRC <2 (p=0.02). Among those with mMRC ≥2 at both baseline and follow-up (n=67, 42%), the odds of having ≥1 exacerbation was 2.4 times higher (odds ratio [OR] 2.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.45-4.1) and 2.8 times higher for ≥1 hospitalization (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.45-5.2) during follow-up after adjusting for fatigue. Conclusion Elevated dyspnea was associated with a greater proportion of patients with bronchiectasis exhibiting acute exacerbations and pulmonary related hospitalizations and lower lung function during follow-up. Research is still needed to understand the causes (drivers) of dyspnea to implement better treatment strategies and reduce adverse outcomes in bronchiectasis patients.

Abstract Rationale: Chronic lung diseases, such as COPD and bronchiectasis (BE), may manifest differently by gender in symptom presentation, time to diagnosis, and overall disease burden. This study aimed to assess perceptions of individuals with self-reported COPD, BE, or non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) regarding healthcare experiences and disease-related symptoms. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from US-based and international participants with self-reported COPD, BE, or NTM using an online survey. Participants were recruited through the COPD Foundation (COPDF) social media channels and completed a questionnaire developed with input from a steering committee that included COPDF leadership, physician-researchers, and patient stakeholders. The survey explored participants’ experiences with healthcare, disease burden, and self-reported symptoms. A subset of women answered additional questions regarding menopause-related symptom changes. Descriptive statistics were calculated and analyzed across self-identified genders and two disease groups: COPD (with or without BE or NTM) and BE (with or without NTM or COPD). Continuous variables were compared using ANOVA, while categorical variables were analyzed using chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Results: Of 632 respondents included in these analyses (mean age 70±9 years, 74% women), 68% reported COPD and 32% BE (both groups included individuals with or without additional diagnoses). Women with COPD were younger than men (p=0.048) and had a shorter duration between symptom onset and initial healthcare visit (< 6 months) (p<0.01). Compared to men, a higher proportion of women with COPD reported that their diagnosis was not explained by a healthcare provider (p=0.0381) and that they experienced anxiety, depression, or fear related to their diagnosis (p=0.0074). Among participants with BE, men and women were similar in age, though a higher proportion of men had shorter intervals (<6 months) between initial healthcare visit and confirmed diagnosis (p=0.0244) and received their diagnosis during hospitalization (p=0.0244). Both men and women across diagnoses reported similar levels of disease management burden, pulmonologist visit frequency, CAAT scores, numbers of comorbidities, and financial difficulties related to their lung condition. Over 75% of women identified as post-menopausal, with approximately one-third reporting worsening pulmonary symptoms associated with menopause. Conclusions: Despite similarities in disease management and comorbidity burden, women with BE and men with COPD reported longer times to initial healthcare visits and diagnostic delays, respectively. Additionally, over one-third of post-menopausal women experienced symptom exacerbation since menopause. These findings underscore the need to further explore gender-based differences and disparities in healthcare access and pulmonary care to enhance lung health outcomes across genders.

Abstract Rationale Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are prevalent among patients with bronchiectasis. However, the long-term natural history of patients with NTM and bronchiectasis is not well described. Objectives To assess the impact of NTM on 5-year clinical outcomes and mortality in patients with bronchiectasis. Methods Patients in the Bronchiectasis and NTM Research Registry with ⩾5 years of follow-up were eligible. Data were collected for all-cause mortality, lung function, exacerbations, hospitalizations, and disease severity. Outcomes were compared between patients with and without NTM at baseline. Mortality was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models and the log-rank test. Measurements and Main Results In total, 2,634 patients were included: 1,549 (58.8%) with and 1,085 (41.2%) without NTM at baseline. All-cause mortality (95% confidence interval) at Year 5 was 12.1% (10.5%, 13.7%) overall, 12.6% (10.5%, 14.8%) in patients with NTM, and 11.5% (9.0%, 13.9%) in patients without NTM. Independent predictors of 5-year mortality were baseline FEV1 percent predicted, age, hospitalization within 2 years before baseline, body mass index, and sex (all P < 0.01). The probabilities of acquiring NTM or Pseudomonas aeruginosa were approximately 4% and 3% per year, respectively. Spirometry, exacerbations, and hospitalizations were similar, regardless of NTM status, except that annual exacerbations were lower in patients with NTM (P < 0.05). Conclusions Outcomes, including exacerbations, hospitalizations, rate of loss of lung function, and mortality rate, were similar across 5 years in patients with bronchiectasis with or without NTM.

Abstract Background Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTMPD) is a chronic lung infection that is challenging to treat, especially refractory NTMPD. Data are limited on the natural history, risk profile, and burden of refractory NTMPD. The objective of this study was to evaluate the burden of illness (BOI) among patients with NTMPD who later develop refractory NTMPD vs those who do not. Methods This was a retrospective analysis using BRR data. Patients treated for NTMPD were included and stratified as refractory (received oral clofazimine/bedaquiline or inhaled amikacin/ALIS, or remained sputum culture positive despite ≥ 6 months of treatment) or nonrefractory. Modified bronchiectasis severity index (mBSI) at baseline visit and BOI including comorbid conditions and surgeries at the treatment visit were compared by cross-sectional analysis between the two groups. Longitudinal analysis of BOI focused on exacerbations and hospitalizations in the refractory group at their pre-refractory visit and refractory visit (first visit meeting the refractory definition). Results A total of 1,064 patients treated for NTMPD were included: 462 (43.4%) refractory and 602 (56.6%) nonrefractory. During the baseline period, the refractory group had more severe bronchiectasis (Table 1, mBSI, mean [SD], 7.3 [3.4] vs 6.7 [3.4]). At the time of treatment, bronchiectasis was more common in the refractory than nonrefractory (96.2% vs 89.7%) group, as were hemoptysis (26.6% vs 16.3%) and GERD (50.5% vs 39.9%). Except BMI, there were no statistically significant differences between the pre-refractory and nonrefractory treatment visits (Table 2). In the refractory group, exacerbations and hospitalizations remained high from the pre-refractory to refractory visit (45.6% vs 39.4% and 13.3% vs 12.8%, respectively). Oxygen and bronchial hygiene use increased from the pre-refractory to the refractory visit (5.2% vs 9.3% and 54.5% vs 61.7%, respectively) consistent with increased management of respiratory conditions when not responding to treatment (Table 2). Conclusion Refractory NTMPD imposes a high disease burden on patients in the BRR. This high burden was present at pre-refractory visits and through the development of refractory status. Disclosures Timothy R. Aksamit, MD, AstraZeneca: Advisor/Consultant|Baxter International, Hill-Rom: Advisor/Consultant|Insmed Incorporated: Advisor/Consultant|Johnson & Johnson: Advisor/Consultant|Redhill Biopharma: Advisor/Consultant|RespirTech: Advisor/Consultant|Spero Therapeutics: Advisor/Consultant|Zambon: Advisor/Consultant David M. Mannino, MD, AstraZeneca: Advisor/Consultant|GlaxoSmithKline: Advisor/Consultant|Up to Date: Advisor/Consultant Ping Wang, PhD, Insmed Incorporated: Salary|Insmed Incorporated: Stocks/Bonds Mariam Hassan, PhD, B. Pharm, Insmed Incorporated: Salary|Insmed Incorporated: Stocks/Bonds