Collecting clinical data in primary ciliary dyskinesia- challenges and opportunities.

Rationale: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is under diagnosed and underestimated. Most clinical research has used some form of questionnaires to capture data but none has been critically evaluated particularly with respect to its end-user feasibility and utility. Objective: To critically appraise a clinical data collection questionnaire for PCD used in a large national PCD consortium in order to apply conclusions in future PCD research. Methods: We describe the development, validation and revision process of a clinical questionnaire for PCD and its evaluation during a national clinical PCD study with respect to data collection and analysis, initial completion rates and user feedback. Results: 14 centers participating in the consortium successfully completed the revised version of the questionnaire for 173 patients with various completion rates for various items. While content and internal consistency analysis demonstrated validity, there were methodological deficiencies impacting completion rates and end-user utility. These deficiencies were addressed resulting in a more valid questionnaire. Conclusions: Our experience may be useful for future clinical research in PCD. Based on the feedback collected on the questionnaire through analysis of completion rates, judgmental analysis of the content, and feedback from experts and end users, we suggest a practicable framework for development of similar tools for various future PCD research.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia in Israel: Prevalence, clinical features, current diagnosis and management practices.

BACKGROUND: Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) is rare and its features in Israel have not been described. AIMS: to assess prevalence utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques, and describe clinical features, diagnostic and management practices in Israel. METHODS: A national multicenter study from 2012 to 2013 recruited patients diagnosed or suspected of having PCD. Diagnosis was verified using: nasal Nitric Oxide (nNO); High-speed Video Microscope Analysis (HVMA); Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) of cilia; Immuno-fluorescence staining (IF) for ciliary proteins, and genetic analysis. RESULTS: Of the 203 patients recruited from 14 pediatric centers, 150 had a PCD diagnosis verified. Median age was 15.05y, with range 0.15-60.5y. PCD prevalence was 1:54,000 for the general population and 1:25,000 in children (5-14 y). For the non-Jewish (mainly Druze and Arab Moslem) compared to Jewish populations, prevalence was 1:16,500 and 1:139,000 respectively (p < 0.0001) and parental consanguinity was 85.4% and 21.9% respectively (p < 0.0001). Clinical features included bronchiectasis (88%), rhinitis (81%), recurrent pneumonia (78%), recurrent otitis (62%), neonatal pneumonia (60%) and situs inversus (42%). Prior diagnostic practices varied widely between centers with TEM assessed in 55% and abnormal in 61% of these. Management included antibiotics and airway clearance. Diagnostic verification revealed for 150 PCD patients: 81% nNO<233 ppb, 62% abnormal HVMA, 51% diagnostic TEM, 58% diagnostic IF and, 57% genetic diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: PCD in Israel is rare, with comprehensive diagnostic tests showing prevalence in children similar to Europe. Prevalence was higher in non-Jews, associated with parental consanguinity. Diagnostic and management practices vary. Referral centers providing comprehensive diagnostic and care capabilities should be established.

Pulmonary function tests leading to the diagnosis of vascular ring in an infant.

A 5-month-old baby was referred to our pulmonary clinic because of chronic cough and wheeze, unresponsive to antiasthmatic treatment. Examination in the Infant Pulmonary Function Laboratory suggested an upper airway obstruction. An aberrant right subclavian artery was subsequently confirmed by a barium swallow, flexible bronchoscopy, and an angiographic reconstructed chest CT study. Due to modest symptoms a conservative medical approach was taken. At follow-up 1 year later, the patient had fewer respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms.