Cough-Related Laryngeal Sensations and Triggers in Adults With Chronic Cough: Symptom Profile and Impact
10.4168/aair.2019.11.5.622
- Author:
Ha Kyeong WON
1
;
Sung Yoon KANG
;
Yewon KANG
;
Jin AN
;
Ji Hyang LEE
;
Sang Min LEE
;
Jae Woo KWON
;
Min Hye KIM
;
Eun Jung JO
;
Seung Eun LEE
;
Sae Hoon KIM
;
Sang Heon KIM
;
Yoon Seok CHANG
;
Sang Hoon KIM
;
Byung Jae LEE
;
Sang Heon CHO
;
Surinder S. BIRRING
;
Woo Jung SONG
Author Information
1. Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Airway Sensation and Cough Research Laboratory, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. swj0126@amc.seoul.kr
- Publication Type:Multicenter Study
- Keywords:
Cough;
hypersensitivity;
symptom assessment
- MeSH:
Adult;
Cough;
Humans;
Hypersensitivity;
Sensation;
Symptom Assessment
- From:Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research
2019;11(5):622-631
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Recent evidence suggests that cough hypersensitivity may be a common feature of chronic cough in adults. However, the clinical relevance remains unclear. This study evaluated the cough-related symptom profile and the clinical relevance and impact of cough hypersensitivity in adults with chronic cough. METHODS: This cross-sectional multi-center study compared cough-related laryngeal sensations and cough triggers in patients with unexplained chronic cough following investigations and in unselected patients newly referred for chronic cough. A structured questionnaire was used to assess abnormal laryngeal sensations and cough triggers. Patients with unexplained cough were also evaluated using the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) and a cough visual analogue scale (VAS), and these scores were assessed for correlations with the number of triggers and laryngeal sensations. RESULTS: This study recruited 478 patients, including 62 with unexplained chronic cough and 416 with chronic cough. Most participants reported abnormal laryngeal sensations and cough triggers. Laryngeal sensations (4.4 ± 1.5 vs. 3.9 ± 1.9; P = 0.049) and cough triggers (6.9 ± 2.6 vs. 5.0 ± 2.8; P < 0.001) were more frequent in patients with unexplained chronic cough than in those with chronic cough. The number of triggers and laryngeal sensations score significantly correlated with LCQ (r = −0.51, P < 0.001) and cough VAS score (r = 0.53, P < 0.001) in patients with unexplained chronic cough. CONCLUSIONS: Cough hypersensitivity may be a common feature in adult patients with chronic cough, especially those with unexplained chronic cough. Cough-related health status and cough severity were inversely associated with the number of triggers and laryngeal sensations, suggesting potential relevance of assessing cough hypersensitivity in chronic cough patients.