Abstract
BackgroundAlthough aerobic fitness is regarded as an overall prognostic measure of morbidity and mortality, its evaluation in the chronic progressive sinopulmonary disease primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) has been infrequently and inconsistently reported. Here we assessed peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) in a large well-characterized cohort of PCD patients, and explored whether VO2peak was associated with parameters of pulmonary function, self-reported physical limitations, and physical activity level.MethodsVO2peak, spirometry, diffusing capacity, whole-body plethysmography, and nitrogen multiple breath inert gas washout (N2 MBW) were assessed in a cross-sectional, single-occasion study of clinically stable children and young adults with PCD. We used a questionnaire including self-reported physical limitations in everyday life or in vigorous activities, and estimation of weekly hours of strenuous physical activity. VO2peak in PCD patients was compared with that in matched, healthy control subjects and a national reference.ResultsForty-four PCD patients aged 6–29 years exhibited reduced VO2peak compared to healthy controls (P<0.001) and the national reference. VO2peak was abnormal (z-score <–1.96) in 34% of PCD patients. Spirometric values, RV/TLC, and indices of N2 MBW were significantly abnormal, but VO2peak only correlated with FEV1 and DLCO/VA. VO2peak correlated with complaints of moderate or significant limitations in vigorous activities (P = 0.0001), exhibited by 39% of PCD patients.ConclusionOne-third of PCD patients exhibited substantially lower aerobic fitness than healthy subjects. Aerobic fitness correlated with FEV1, DLCO/VA and self-reported complaints of limitations in vigorous physical activity. These findings are most likely explained by PCD pulmonary disease and its impact on pulmonary function and physical ability. Considering fitness as an important outcome and including regular strenuous physical activity in PCD treatment would probably altogether increase pulmonary clearance, lung function, aerobic fitness, and quality of life, and prevent lifestyle-related diseases.
Highlights
The peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) test is widely used to objectively determine a person’s aerobic fitness or cardiopulmonary functional capacity, and as a prognostic measure of morbidity and mortality in disease and in health [1], [2]
primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) diagnosis was based on characteristic clinical symptoms [6], abnormal low nasal nitric oxide measurement [14], repeated high-speed video microscopic recordings of abnormal ciliary beat pattern and/or frequency, and transmission electron microscopy analysis of ciliary ultrastructure according to previously published guidelines [5]
We found an association between aerobic fitness and FEV1 and DLCO/VA, it is difficult to estimate the degree of direct influence from these measures
Summary
The peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) test is widely used to objectively determine a person’s aerobic fitness or cardiopulmonary functional capacity, and as a prognostic measure of morbidity and mortality in disease and in health [1], [2]. PCD causes significant morbidity and impaired quality of life, including limitations of physical activity [7], [8]. Aerobic fitness is regarded as an overall prognostic measure of morbidity and mortality, its evaluation in the chronic progressive sinopulmonary disease primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) has been infrequently and inconsistently reported. We assessed peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) in a large well-characterized cohort of PCD patients, and explored whether VO2peak was associated with parameters of pulmonary function, self-reported physical limitations, and physical activity level
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