Table 1. Summary of patient characteristics (n = 49) in the comparison of the upper and lower airway microbiota.
CSLD—chronic suppurative lung disease; CF—cystic fibrosis; NBS—newborn screened; PCD—Primary ciliary dyskinesia.
| Demographic | Median (range) or n (%) |
|---|---|
| Age (years) | 5.4 (0.1–16.2) |
| Gender (female) | 29 (59) |
| Underlying pathology | |
| • CF (Newborn screened [NBS] infants) | • 12 (25) |
| • CF (not NBS) | • 5 (10) |
| • PCD | • 5 (10) |
| • Recurrent LRTI | • 24 (49) |
| • Upper airway pathology | • 2 (4) |
| • Haemoptysis | • 1 (2) |
| Current symptoms | |
| • Lower respiratory | • 10 (20) |
| • Upper respiratory | • 21 (42) |
| Antibiotic usage | |
| Current treatment course | 14 (29) |
| • Intravenous (IV) | • 3 (6) |
| • Oral | • 8 (16) |
| • Nebulised | • 6 (12) |
| Oral prophylaxis | 20 (41) |
| • Augmentin | • 2 (4) |
| • Azithromycin | • 9 (18) |
| • Flucloxacillin | • 9 (18) |
| Inhaled corticosteroids | 12 (25) |
| Bronchoscopy route | |
| • Oral (Via laryngeal mask airway) | • 11 (22) |
| • Nasal | • 38 (78) |