Cough Suppression Therapy in Patients With Chronic Refractory Cough and Oropharyngeal Dysphagia

Chronic refractory cough (CRC), defined as cough lasting over 8 weeks despite medical intervention, is a prevalent condition with a number of associated comorbidities. Cough suppression therapy (CST) has been demonstrated to be a promising avenue for treating CRC by improving airway control and coordination. However, little is known about the effects of CST in CRC patients diagnosed with comorbid oropharyngeal dysphagia (DYS) despite a large subset of patients with both conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine if CST affects self-assessment of DYS severity in patients diagnosed with both CRC and oropharyngeal DYS.

The charts of 106 patients with a primary diagnosis of CRC who completed CST were reviewed. A total of 30 age- and gender-matched individuals, 15 with CRC and oropharyngeal DYS (CRC + DYS) and 15 with CRC only, were identified. All patients underwent stroboscopic examinations by an otolaryngologist and completed the Cough Severity Index and Eating Assessment Tool-10 surveys. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare pre- and posttreatment symptom severity, gender, age, race/ethnicity, and comorbidities.

Self-reported severity of DYS decreased in all 15 CRC + DYS patients, and their average post-treatment score was statistically similar to that of patients with only CRC. Both groups had comparable reductions in their self-assessment of cough severity. The two groups presented no statistically significant difference in pretreatment cough severity, treatment duration, number of treatment sessions, comorbidities, age, and gender.

These findings suggest that CRC patients with oropharyngeal DYS and no evidence of aspiration had statistically significant improved self-assessment of swallowing disorder severity when treated with CST.