Long-Term Prognosis of Adult Patients with Persistent Cough Post COVID-19 and Its Risk Factors: A Nationwide
Wen He1, Jianyong Zhang2, Dejun Sun3
1State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, 151 Yanjiang Rd., Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China.
Background:
There are few data regarding the duration, long-term prognosis of persistent cough post coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The break of COVID-19 Omicron mutant infection provides an opportunity to investigate the long-term outcome of postinfectious cough and its risk factors.
Methods:
In this multicenter prospective study, we recruited patients aged ≥ 18 years with cough duration ≥ 3 weeks after COVID-19 infection during early stage of 2023 in respiratory clinics, cough assessments and laboratory investigations were conducted. Patients underwent two follow-up visits at 12 weeks and 52 weeks.
Results:
A total of 1650 patients were enrolled, with an average age of 42.2 ± 14.4 years and 63.3% females. According to follow-up visits, the cough duration was 12 (8,20) weeks, and chronic cough occurred in 68.4%. Cough relieved in 90.8% within 32 weeks. At baseline, sputum eosinophilia (≥ 2.5%) was found in 21.8% (46/211) patients, fractional exhaled nitric oxide level (≥ 25 ppb) elevated in 33.9% (176/519). In addition, 17.2% (73/425) of patients showed bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Cough hypersensitivity was found in 72.5% (37/55) for capsaicin and 63.2% (48/76) for adenosine triphosphate. Multivariate cox regression analysis showed that being older (P = 0.007), higher cough VAS (P < 0.001; P = 0.001), higher CET score (P < 0.001; P = 0.03), and comorbidities (P = 0.043) were associated with chronic cough.
Conclusion:
In adult patients with COVID-19 Omicron infection, cough lasted for more than 8 weeks in over two thirds, and relieved within 32 weeks in majority of patients. Being older, worse cough severity, and comorbidities are the risk factors of developing chronic cough.
Clinical Trials Registry:
ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT06951321.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
01:20COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation