Feasibility study of a novel questionnaire to phenotype cough patterns and the associated perceived severity

Cough has been characterised by type ie wet, dry, and chesty, and also by features such as frequency, severity, and etiology. The cough phenotype hasn't been described before and this may determine patient's perceived severity. Primary endpoints to evaluate drug efficacy tend to be the visual analogue scale (VAS) and 24-hour cough counts to measure cough severity, but these tend not to correlate. <bold>Aim:</bold> Determine if chronic cough (CC) patients understood the questionnaire, were able to complete it with little direction and if any other cough phenotypes were identified. <bold>Methods:</bold> We have developed a one-page questionnaire that depicts 4 distinct cough phenotypes and an empty field to record phenotypes of cough not depicted on the questionnaire (figure 1). The severity of cough is determined from the sum of scores for frequency, intensity, and disruption to life. <bold>Results:</bold> Of 30 CC patients mean age 64.8 year completing the questionnaire 40% reported picture 2 and 30% picture 4. 3 patients reported a new phenotype in the empty field. Females N=18, 56% reported picture 2 and 22% picture 4 for males the most predominant cough was picture 4 accounting for 42% of the population. Females reported highest severity except for pic 1. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> The questionnaire was easy to use and detailed 5 distinct phenotypes of CC. There appear to be differences in commonality of cough phenotypes and severity between males and females. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA2135/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>