Cough triggers in chronic lung disease

<bold>Introduction</bold> Cough hypersensitivity (CH) is a key mechanism in refractory chronic cough (RCC) and is suggested by the presence of abnormal laryngeal sensations and cough triggers. Chronic cough (CC, >8weeks) is common in chronic lung disease (CLD); however, little is known about CH in CLD. We hypothesised that rates of CH triggers and sensations are higher in CLD with CC compared to those without CC, and similar to RCC. <bold>Methods:</bold> Consecutive unselected patients with asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, ILD, sarcoidosis and RCC were recruited from specialist clinics. Assessments included cough severity (VAS), cough-specific health status (LCQ), and Cough Hypersensitivity Questionnaire (CHQ; range 0-22: 6 laryngeal sensations and 16 allo-/hyper-tussia triggers). <bold>Results:</bold> CLD participants with CC (n=91), CLD without CC (n=46), and RCC (n=51) were recruited. Median (IQR) CHQ scores were higher in CLD participants with CC (11 [7-14]) than those without (4 [2-8]) but lower than RCC (14 [9-18]) (all p<0.01). 98% of CLD participants with CC had ≥1 laryngeal sensation, compared to 70% in CLD without CC, and 100% of RCC (Figure). In all CLD, CHQ scores were associated with severity VAS (ρ=0.53) and LCQ (ρ=-0.66, both p<0.01). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Cough hypersensitivity (CH) features are common in CLD and associated with cough severity. Further studies should investigate the endotypes of CH in CLD and response to CH-specific pharmacotherapy. ERS NeuroCOUGH CRC site-King’s <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA2132/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>