Cough reflex sensitivity in various phenotypes of childhood asthma

Cough is a major symptom in some children with asthma, but the relationship between cough and the severity of asthma is defined insufficiently. As cough represents common problem of pediatrics, several objective methods for its assessment were developed. Cough reflex sensitivity (CRS) test with capsaicin is one of the most important tools for studying cough. In the present study, we aimed to study the CRS in various phenotypes of childhood asthma. We found that, in general, CRS was increased in asthmatic children compared with controls. The most evident increase of CRS was observed during acute asthma exacerbation, in children suffering from asthma with concomitant allergic rhinitis, and in atopic asthmatics. Interestingly, we noted a significant decline in lung function after capsaicin CRS. Various laboratory and clinical characteristics of asthmatic children influence cough sensitivity to a different extent. Cough reflex sensitivity measurement can add valuable information beside the commonly used spirometric and inflammometric methods in the management of asthmatic children.