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Chronic Cough in Individuals With COPD: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Eskild Landt1, Yunus Çolak2, Peter Lange3
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Zealand University Hospital, Køge, Denmark.
Chronic cough in individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) indicates more severe disease. This cough is linked to worse respiratory symptoms, increased healthcare use, reduced lung function, and higher inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Respiratory Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The impact of chronic cough in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients within the general population remains under-described.
- This study investigated the hypothesis that chronic cough is a significant indicator of disease severity in individuals with COPD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the association between chronic cough and disease severity markers in a general population cohort with COPD.
- To analyze respiratory symptoms, healthcare utilization, lung function, and blood inflammatory biomarkers in COPD patients with and without chronic cough.
Main Methods:
- A nested cohort study was conducted using data from 43,271 adults in the Copenhagen General Population Study (CGPS).
- Individuals with COPD and chronic cough were identified, and their data on respiratory symptoms, healthcare use, lung function (FEV1/FVC), and inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, fibrinogen, leukocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, IgE) were recorded.
Main Results:
- Out of 8,181 individuals with COPD, 796 (10%) had chronic cough.
- COPD patients with chronic cough reported significantly more sputum, wheezing, dyspnea, chest pain, nighttime dyspnea, bronchitis/pneumonia episodes, and GP visits.
- These patients also exhibited lower FEV1% predicted, lower FEV1/FVC ratio, and elevated blood levels of hs-CRP, fibrinogen, leukocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and IgE compared to those without chronic cough.
Conclusions:
- Chronic cough in COPD patients is associated with increased respiratory symptoms and healthcare utilization.
- The presence of chronic cough in COPD correlates with diminished lung function and heightened systemic inflammation.
- Chronic cough serves as a marker for more severe COPD in the general population.
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