Possibilty for CF

Question

I am 32 years old, father of 2 children, and the last 5 years I suffer from relapsing respiratory infections. As a kid I suffered from bronchiolitis/otitis and twice from pneumonia. At the age of 15 months I did a sweat test twice at the CF centre at “Aghia Sofia” Hospital and the values were 20mmol/L. The diagnosis was allergic asthma. At the age of 7 all the symptoms and the infections stopped till I was 28, when it all started again.
Currently I am under treatment for asthma (Beclometason + formoterol inhalations twice a day and montelukast, once every evening). The results of my last spirometry were FEV1 90%, PEF 115%, MEF 25% FVC47%, MEF50% FVC 80%. I have very thick mucus and secretions and an allergy to acaria (house dust mites). What are the chances for CF? Need I do any further testing to exclude the possibility of the disease? I am on medication for the last five years. Is there a solution for my problems? Both my children were normally conceived when I was 20 and 21 years old. I have doubts about the sweat test and I was thinking of having a full genetic test. Do I need to pursue the issue or should I stop investigating?

Answer

Dear friend,
You are 32 years old, father of two children (normal conception) and a past history of bronchiolitis/ear infections till the age of 7.
Between the age 7-27 you did not present with any problems. Since you have two children that were normally conceived, you had three sweat tests with absolutely normal values, and no symptoms from the pulmonary system between the ages 7 and 28, I do not believe that you have CF and there is no need to do any further testing.
You have allergy to house dust mites, so most probably the problems you mentioned could be due to this allergy.
There is a solution for all problems, and the problems exist to be solved and overcome.
If, however, you still have doubts, you are welcome to visit our CF centre at "Agia Sofia" Hospital and discuss them in person. Your doctor, the allergiologist, or you yourself, may contact our CF Centre at “Aghia Sofia” Hospital at 2107467761 for any information.
Yours friendly,
Dr. Stavros Doudounakis

05.01.2015