title: Hypovitaminosis D: a novel finding in primary ciliary dyskinesia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A relationship between low levels of serum vitamin D and respiratory infections has been established. No study has examined the frequency and clinical relevance of vitamin D deficiency in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Vitamin D levels were measured in 22 PCD patients (7 females, 10.5 years, range, 2-34 years). In PCD, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), sputum microbiology, self-reported physical activity (PA) level, and quality of life (QoL) by means of the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), were also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-two percent of PCD patients were vitamin-D deficient-to-insufficient and 28% were sufficient. No differences in PFTs parameters were found between vitamin D deficiency-to-insufficiency and sufficiency groups. Patients with vitamin D deficiency-to-insufficiency had significantly higher SGRQ total scores, and thus poorer QoL (p = 0.03). Seventy-nine percent of PCD subjects had limitations in performing vigorous activities, and 53% performed less than 3 hours of PA per week. Vitamin D deficiency-to-insufficiency and sufficiency groups did not show any differences in age at PCD diagnosis or at onset of respiratory symptoms, BMI, atopy, current asthma or bronchiectasis. However, 79% of patients with bronchiectasis had vitamin D deficiency-to-insufficiency. No differences were found in the rate of positive sputum cultures and in the number of antibiotic courses between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hypovitaminosis D is common in PCD patients, and is associated with poorer QoL. We recommend the assessment and treatment of hypovitaminosis D to be included in the routine management of PCD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Via Sergio Pansini, 5-80131, Naples, Italy. virginia.mirra@hotmail.it.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mirra
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria, University of Parma, Parma, Italy. carlo.caffarelli@unipr.it.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caffarelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Via Sergio Pansini, 5-80131, Naples, Italy. maglione84@libero.it.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maglione
authors.affiliation: National Council of Research, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Naples, Italy. rossvalentino@yahoo.it.
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valentino
authors.affiliation: National Council of Research, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Naples, Italy. gperruolo@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perruolo
authors.affiliation: National Council of Research, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, Naples, Italy. claudia.mazzarella@unina.it.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mazzarella
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Via Sergio Pansini, 5-80131, Naples, Italy. laida_lisa@libero.it.
authors.forename: Laida Lisa
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Di Micco
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Via Sergio Pansini, 5-80131, Naples, Italy. amina2004@virgilio.it.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Montella
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Via Sergio Pansini, 5-80131, Naples, Italy. santamar@unina.it.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santamaria
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007619:Kartagener Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D011788:Quality of Life; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult