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Methods for Detecting Cough and Airway Inflammation in Mice
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Capsaicin-assessed cough reflex in asthma patients
M Neuschlova1, P Kunc, R Pecova
1Department of Pathological Physiology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, Slovak Republic. renata.pecova@uniba.sk.
Physiological Research
|July 23, 2025
Summary
Adults with asthma exhibit significantly heightened cough reflex sensitivity compared to healthy individuals. This increased sensitivity, measured by capsaicin concentration, indicates a lower threshold for triggering coughs in asthmatic patients.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Medicine
- Clinical Physiology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The cough reflex is a vital airway defense mechanism.
- Cough disorders involve altered cough reflex thresholds.
- Afferent pathways significantly influence cough reflex sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cough reflex sensitivity between adults with asthma and healthy adults.
- To assess airway nerve ending reactivity using capsaicin.
- To establish a control group for future clinical-physiological studies.
Main Methods:
- Utilized European Respiratory Society guidelines for cough assessment.
- Recruited 52 healthy volunteers and 19 adults with asthma.
- Administered capsaicin to determine thresholds for two (C2) and five (C5) coughs.
Main Results:
- Healthy volunteers required 8.46 µmol/l (C2) and 26.62 µmol/l (C5) capsaicin.
- Asthmatic adults required significantly lower concentrations: 2.03 µmol/l (C2) and 3.02 µmol/l (C5).
- Demonstrated a statistically significant increase in cough reflex sensitivity in asthma patients (P<0.01 for C2, P<0.001 for C5).
Conclusions:
- Adults with asthma possess significantly enhanced cough reflex sensitivity.
- This hypersensitivity is quantifiable using capsaicin challenge tests.
- Findings highlight potential therapeutic targets for cough in asthma.
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