Figure 1.

Change in percent predicted FEV₁ over time from 1 year before to 3 years after the date of the first positive culture in the three nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) groups. Subjects are divided into those with transient infection, those with persistent infection, and those with active disease. The vertical dashed line (at time 0) represents the time of first positive NTM culture. Subjects with active NTM disease have a lower baseline FEV₁ at time of first positive culture, an increased rate of decline in FEV₁ over the 1 year preceding the first positive culture, and an accelerated rate of decline in FEV₁ after the first positive culture when compared with the other groups. There were no differences in baseline FEV₁ or decline in FEV₁ for subjects with transient or persistent infection before or after the first positive NTM culture.