This cross-sectional study (Jan 2023–Jan 2024) evaluated 56 PCD patients aged ≥6 years (mean age 15.2 years) for otologic, pulmonary, and sinonasal manifestations and their impact on health-related QOL (QOL-PCD), using pure-tone audiometry, DPOAE, tympanogram, speech-in-noise testing (TUR-Matrix), spirometry, and SNOT-22.
Pathologic hearing was found in 46.4% (26/56) and abnormal speech-in-noise (TUR-Matrix) in 64.3% (36/56). Patients with pathologic hearing had significantly worse FEV1 z-scores (−1.7 vs. −0.8, p=0.01), more abnormal DPOAE (25 vs. 11, p<0.001), and worse tympanograms (26 vs. 12, p<0.001). Adults had significantly lower QOL scores in social, upper, and lower respiratory domains than children and adolescents (p<0.001, 0.02, and 0.01, respectively).
- Single-center design with a small sample (n=56) limits generalizability. - No multiple testing correction applied despite numerous comparisons. - Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference between hearing loss and pulmonary decline.
Nearly half of PCD patients have measurable hearing loss, and nearly two-thirds struggle with speech understanding in noise — both often go unreported. Routine multidisciplinary assessment including objective audiologic testing (not just symptom inquiry) should be standard in PCD care, especially in patients with lower FEV1.
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