Lund-Mackay Computed Tomography Score Is Associated With Obstructive Pulmonary Function Changes in Chronic Cough...

Area of Science:

• Respiratory Medicine
• Otolaryngology
• Pulmonology

Background:

• A link between upper airway conditions and lung diseases is recognized.
• Sinonasal findings in chronic cough patients remain under-examined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate paranasal sinus findings and lung function in chronic cough patients.
• To exclude patients with asthma or chest X-ray abnormalities for a focused study.

Main Methods:

• 1412 persistent cough patients were screened; 376 underwent further evaluation.
• Pulmonary function tests, bronchial obstruction reversibility tests, Lund-Mackay CT scores, eosinophil counts, and IgE levels were assessed.
• Sino-Nasal Outcome Test measured clinical symptom severity.

Main Results:

• Abnormal paranasal sinus soft tissue shadows correlated with significant obstructive lung function.
• Percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV_1.0) and FEV_1.0/forced vital capacity ratio showed negative correlation with Lund-Mackay CT scores.
• Pulmonary function demonstrated a significant correlation with eosinophil count.

Conclusions:

• Paranasal sinus abnormalities are common in chronic cough patients.
• Lund-Mackay CT scores may aid in assessing lower airway conditions in chronic cough.
• Integrating upper airway examinations into chronic cough management is recommended.