Comparison of different nebulisation systems for capsaicin cough challenge testing.

Area of Science:

• Respiratory physiology
• Pharmacology
• Medical device evaluation

Background:

• Cough reflex hypersensitivity is a key feature of various respiratory conditions.
• Accurate measurement of cough responses is crucial for diagnosis and treatment evaluation.
• The KoKo dosimeter was a standard but is now obsolete.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance of the Provo.X nebulisation system.
• To compare the Provo.X system with the KoKo dosimeter for capsaicin cough challenge studies.
• To determine the suitability of the Provo.X system for future research.

Main Methods:

• Cough responses to capsaicin were measured using both the Provo.X nebulisation system and the KoKo dosimeter.
• Participants underwent standardized capsaicin cough challenge protocols.
• Data from both devices were compared for comparability.

Main Results:

• The Provo.X nebulisation system demonstrated comparable results to the KoKo dosimeter in measuring cough responses.
• The system showed reliability in delivering capsaicin for cough challenge testing.
• No significant differences were observed between the two devices.

Conclusions:

• The Provo.X nebulisation system is a viable and acceptable alternative to the obsolete KoKo dosimeter.
• This device can be reliably used in future capsaicin-induced cough challenge studies.
• The findings support the adoption of the Provo.X system in clinical research settings.