What is the Treatment for Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia and Its Cost?

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia Treatment in India – Costs and Best Options

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare inherited disorder of ciliary function, affecting approximately 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 20,000 people. In this situation, it is essential to follow a proper treatment plan in India for improved respiratory health. Treatment costs vary widely depending on therapies, medications, and follow-up care.

What is the Best Treatment for Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD)?

1. Chest Physical Therapy

Chest physical therapy is also known as chest percussion or clapping. It involves pounding the chest and repeating back with the hands. It helps loosen mucus in the lungs for easy coughing and airway clearance.

Chest physical therapy can be provided by postural drainage and hand percussion. A mechanical technique, such as a positive expiratory pressure valve or high-frequency chest wall oscillation, can conduct this therapy.

2. Ear Tubes Implant

In certain cases, the surgical option is urgent to address complications, such as ear infection or chronic sinusitis.  In tympanostomy, small tubes are implanted into the eardrums, and it becomes easier to remove fluids clearly from the middle ear.

It helps reduce the risk of ear infection and allows air in the middle ear to prevent fluid development.

Healthcare providers also recommend medications to treat inflammation and infections due to PCD.

• Antibiotics: These help fight body infections and manage lung function or respiratory symptoms to prevent worsening.
• Bronchodilators: This medication helps relax the surrounding muscles to open the airways and make breathing easier.
• Azithromycin: Doctors prefer long-term azithromycin to reduce inflammation and control bacterial growth in patients with PCD.

How Much Does The Treatment Cost in India?

Medications for PCD can cost between Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 per month. Additionally, chest physical therapy is available at a lower cost, typically ranging from Rs. 500 to Rs. 2,500 per session. The cost of ear tube surgery varies depending on the material of the tympanostomy tube, which may be made from either plastic or metal.

Moreover, a highly developed and innovative medical infrastructure, fees of qualified surgeons, and hospital accommodation charges can impact the cost of surgery. Ear tube (myringotomy/tympanostomy) surgery in India typically costs between ₹25,000 and ₹65,000, depending on the hospital and city.

What is the Life Expectancy of a Person with PCD?

Many individuals with PCD can live into their 70s or 80s, especially with proper management. However, in certain cases, people with PCD experience chronic respiratory diseases that reduce their lifespan.

Besides that, living with PCD can also reflect scars in organ tissues and ongoing complications, including bronchiectasis, respiratory failure and hearing loss.

How to Manage Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia?

A person with PCD needs regular follow-up to monitor the progression, lung function, and complications. Consistent monitoring can help evaluate whether symptoms are worsening or if treatments are effective.

• Patients need to schedule regular physical exercises to mobilise airway secretions and strengthen respiratory muscles.
• Maintaining a heart-healthy diet rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant foods can support health.
• Minimising respiratory irritant exposure and avoiding smoking can help to manage complications.
• Avoid medications that suppress coughing, as coughing is essential for clearing mucus from the airways.

There was no definitive sole option to cure PCD. The goal of primary ciliary dyskinesia treatment is to slow disease progression and control infections in the sinus, ear and lungs. Chest physical therapy is an airway clearance process that assists postural drainage. This treatment for PCD helps clear trapped mucus from the airways and lungs.