Respiratory symptoms and physical activity in patients with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia in Switzerland

Abstract

Background: Most patients with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) have chronic upper and lower respiratory symptoms. We do not know if frequent respiratory symptoms result in low physical activity in PCD patients.

Methods: In a national survey, we sent questionnaires using the standardised FOLLOW-PCD questions to patients enrolled in the Swiss PCD Registry asking about patient reported symptoms and lifestyle. We used logistic regression to study if frequent (reported often or daily during the past 3 months) cough, nasal symptoms, and shortness of breath were associated with level of physical activity (less than once per week).

Results: 72 of 92 patients (82%) completed our survey (ages 3-73 years; median 24), including 51 (71%) adults (≥18 years) and 39 (55%) female. In total, 55 (76%) patients performed sports frequently, at least once per week. These included all 21 children who attended school sports or did additional sports and 34 adults. Of the 55, 21 (38%; 4 children, 17 adults) performed fast power sports, 11 (20%) adults did endurance and 11 (20%; 6 children, 5 adults) performed game sports. The rest did other sports or did not specify. We did not find any evidence that frequent cough (OR 2.01, 95%CI 0.69-5.83), nasal symptoms (OR 1.57, 95%CI 0.53-4.66), and shortness of breath (OR 2.87, 95%CI 0.87-9.51) are associated with low level of physical activity.

Conclusion: Despite frequent chronic respiratory symptoms, most patients were physically active at least once a week. A possible explanation is that Swiss PCD patients combine physical activity with physiotherapy for better airway clearance to deal with their chronic symptoms.

Funding: Lung League of Bern, SNF PZ00P3_185923