Does bronchial hyperresponsiveness predict a diagnosis of cough variant asthma in adults with chronic cough: a cohort study

• Main Authors: Aleksandra Rybka-Fraczek, Marta Dabrowska, Elzbieta M. Grabczak, Katarzyna Bialek-Gosk, Karolina Klimowicz, Olga Truba, Rafal Krenke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2021-09-01
• Series: Respiratory Research
• Subjects: Asthma; Bronchial hyperresponsiveness; Cough
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-021-01845-2

Abstract Bronchial hyperresponsiveness is a typical, but non-specific feature of cough variant asthma (CVA). This study aimed to determine whether bronchial hyperresponsiveness may be considered as a predictor of CVA in non-smoking adults with chronic cough (CC). The study included 55 patients with CC and bronchial hyperresponsiveness confirmed in the methacholine provocation test, in whom an anti-asthmatic, gradually intensified treatment was introduced. The diagnosis of CVA was established if the improvement in cough severity and cough-related quality of life in LCQ were noted.The study showed a high positive predictive value of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in this population. Cough severity and cough related quality of life were not related to the severity of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in CVA patients. A poor treatment outcome was related to a low baseline capsaicin threshold and the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux-related symptoms. In conclusion, bronchial hyperresponsiveness could be considered as a predictor of cough variant asthma in non-smoking adults with CC.