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Cough threshold in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
1Department of Medicine, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
Thorax
|May 27, 1999
Summary
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exhibit a reduced cough reflex sensitivity to citric acid. This finding suggests potential differences in cough receptor responses, possibly influenced by cigarette smoke exposure in COPD patients.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Cough is a significant symptom in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Understanding cough reflex sensitivity is crucial for managing COPD symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cough reflex sensitivity to citric acid and capsaicin in COPD patients and healthy individuals.
- To assess bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine in COPD patients.
Main Methods:
- Nineteen COPD patients and 22 controls participated.
- Subjects underwent methacholine bronchoprovocation and cough challenges with citric acid and capsaicin.
Main Results:
- COPD patients showed a significantly lower cough threshold to citric acid (p=0.02).
- No significant difference in cough threshold was observed for capsaicin.
- Bronchial hyperresponsiveness was present in 16 COPD patients and correlated with FEV1 (r=0.6, p=0.01).
Conclusions:
- COPD patients possess a heightened cough sensitivity to citric acid.
- This may be attributed to the differential impact of cigarette smoke on specific cough receptors.