Abstract
Background: PCD presentation is non-specific and can lead to missed diagnosis. Wet cough, rhinitis, infertility and neonatal respiratory distress (NRD) are considered “classical” in PCD, however there is no data on whether this varies with age.
Objectives: To compare presenting features at time of diagnosis in PCD patients of different ages.
Methods: Prospectively collected data from 75 patients diagnosed with PCD. Patients were age-grouped (<1, 1 to 6, 6 to 19, 19 to 35 and >35 years) and clinical features recorded.
Results: Cough (82-100%) and persistent rhinitis were common in all age groups, though rhinitis was less common in <6y (67% v 91%, p<0.01). History of NRD was common in all ages, but less in adults than children (47% v 86%, p<0.01); fewer adults could provide a neonatal history (80% v 98%, p<0.05). No <1y reported ear symptoms whilst 66% of >1 years had a history of glue ear. Significantly more adults than children presented with bronchiectasis (90 v 10%, p<0.01) and sinusitis (60% v 17%, p<0.01)
| <1 n=11 | 1-5 n=19 | 6-17 n=25 | 18-35 n=12 | 36+ n=8 | Total n=75 | |
| Wet cough | 100.0 | 84.2 | 80.0 | 41.7 | 50.0 | 74.6 |
| Persistent rhinitis | 45.5 | 78.9 | 92.0 | 91.7 | 87.5 | 81.3 |
| Neonatal respiratory distress | 100.0 | 84.2 | 80.0 | 41.7 | 50.0 | 74.6 |
| Chronic otitis media | 0 | 57.9 | 68.0 | 83.3 | 62.5 | 57.3 |
| Ear surgery | 0 | 57.9 | 68.0 | 83.3 | 62.5 | 57.3 |
| Sinusitis | 0 | 10.5 | 28.0 | 58.3 | 62.5 | 28.0 |
| Bronchiectasis | 0 | 0 | 25.0 | 75.0 | 100.0 | 29.3 |
Presenting features in each age group (%)
Conclusion: Persistent wet cough is a “hallmark” feature of PCD. Other features varied; fewer nasal symptoms in <6y, no ear symptoms in <1s and fewer reporting NRD in adults. Later diagnosis led to complications of chronic infection including bronchiectasis, chronic sinusitis and ear surgery, reinforcing the need for early diagnosis in PCD.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
