Introduction

Chronic cough (CC) is common in sarcoidosis but little is known about its impact and features. We investigated the patient experience and clinical features of CC in sarcoidosis (SC) compared to sarcoidosis without CC (SN) and refractory chronic cough (RCC).

Methods

Consecutive patients with sarcoidosis or RCC at specialist clinics completed cough severity visual analogue scale (VAS), Patient Global Impression of Severity (PGI-S), cough-specific Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) health status, Cough Hypersensitivity Questionnaire (CHQ), and objective cough frequency (CF) with Leicester Cough Monitor. Case notes were reviewed for clinical characteristics.

Results

Patients with SC (17), SN (11) and RCC (47) completed assessments. Severity VAS, PGI-S, LCQ and CF were less severe in SC compared to RCC, but cough triggers (CHQ) were similar. LCQ was more impaired in SC compared to SN. VAS, PGI-S, LCQ and CHQ were associated with CF in sarcoidosis (?=0.73, 0.72, -0.69, 0.52 respectively; all p<0.02). There was no difference in age, sex, spirometry, serum ACE, fibrosis on radiology and immunotherapy between SC and SN. IL2-R was lower in SC than SN, but not associated with VAS, LCQ or CF (p>0.2).

Conclusion

CC in sarcoidosis is associated with hypersensitivity features but not spirometry or fibrosis. Cough severity and health status impairment are less severe in sarcoidosis compared to RCC. IL2-R levels were lower in SC than SN but this needs repeating in larger studies.