Background: There are limited studies about the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) patients.

Aims: In this study, we aimed to compare PCD patients with healthy controls for sleep-related symptoms. Secondary aims were to evaluate PCD patients in terms of OSAS with polysomnography (PSG) to determine associated risk factors of OSAS, and to assess the relationship between sleep apnea and Quality of Life (QOL).

Methods: A case-control study was carried out with 30 patients with PCD and 60 controls in Hacettepe University Department of Pediatric Pulmonology. Study and control groups were asked about sleep-related symptoms and Pediatric sleep questionnaire (PSQ). PCD patients were evaluated with PSG and PCD-QOL was applied to the patients.

Results: Difficulty in breathing during sleep, dry mouth, nasal congestion, restless sleep, learning disability, night sweating, family history of sleep apnea are observed significantly higher in PCD patients (p<0,05). Mild OSAS was detected in 56.7% of the PCD patients. FVC and FVC z scores were significantly lower in PCD patients with OSAS compared to non-OSAS ones (p<0,05). In PCD-QOL questionnaire carried out on PCD patients aged 6-12, ?physical functioning? score was significantly lower in the ones with OSAS. In this group, ?physical functioning?, ?emotional functioning?,?social functioning? and ?symptoms lower airway? scores decreased while the total and obstructive AHI scores increased.

Conclusion: Attention should be drawn for OSAS especially in case of open mouth breathing, night sweating and decrease in FVC and FVC z score parameters in PCD patients.