Question about diagnosis in adults

Question

Since childhood my husband had problems with the lungs. He had pneumonia several times. He now has COPD gold 3 and a bunch of unclear symptoms such as problems with his liver, joint pain, a pre stage of diabetes,... I have lately noticed that he tastes/sweats very salty. I wonder if CF should be considered? I already asked his pulmonologist because our daughter had many lung problems, and from research we know she is a carrier. The pulmonologist thought it was of no concern. Is it something to discuss and to insist on further research? And if yes: does a sweat test in adults say something or not? Because I read that this test is often unreliable.

Answer

Dear madam,
As you can understand, this website is not an alternative for a visit to your doctor. For personal advice, we suggest that you consult your doctor.
Generally we can state that also in adults with CF a sweat test is the first diagnostic test to be recommended. The sweat test is reliable and will confirm or exclude the diagnosis in most cases. In some milder forms of CF the sweat test can give an "intermediate" answer. In that case it is appropriate to perform additional diagnostic tests such as the CFTR mutation analysis, measurements of the 'salt flows' in the nasal mucosa (NPD), or in the intestine (ICM). You can read more about these tests on this website.
But of course, for each individual patient, it is the task of the doctor to critically assess which tests are recommended.
Prof. K. de Boeck

03.12.2014