Prevalence of Laryngeal Abnormal Sensation in a Hospital Worker Population and its Association with Cough...

Cough hypersensitivity is characterized by exaggerated cough responses to mild stimuli, which is frequently associated with laryngeal abnormal sensation (LAS). However, the clinical characteristics of LAS and its prevalence in a non-clinical working population remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and prevalence of LAS.

This cross-sectional study included 556 healthcare workers (aged 20-72) from Gamagori City Hospital, Japan. Participants completed the Newcastle Laryngeal Hypersensitivity Questionnaire (NLHQ), Hull Airway Reflux Questionnaire, and Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ). LAS was defined as an NLHQ score < 17.1. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze LAS-associated factors.

LAS was present in 9.5% of participants. The LAS-positive group had significantly higher prevalence of asthma (13.2% vs. 3.4%, P = 0.005), chronic rhinosinusitis (7.5% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.006), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD; 11.3% vs. 1.2%, P < 0.001). Cough prevalence was significantly higher in the LAS( +) group (45.2% vs. 9.5%, P < 0.001), and quality of life was impaired, as indicated by lower LCQ scores. Multivariate analysis revealed that asthma (OR = 5.092, P = 0.002), GERD (OR = 12.397, P < 0.001), and mood swings (OR = 2.957, P = 0.003) were independent risk factors for LAS.

LAS markedly affects symptoms like cough and impairs quality of life, and is independently associated with asthma, GERD, and mood swings. It may reflect a sensory phenomenon of vagal hypersensitivity that could contribute to the pathophysiology of such chronic conditions.