Objective.Leicester Cough questionnaire (LCQ) measures cough-related quality of life (QoL) but it takes time to perform. We explore the association between Visual Analog scale (VAS) score, easier to use in clinical practice, with physical impact and with LCQ scores in patients with refractory or unexplained chronic cough (RCC/UCC). 

Methods. Spanish adults with RCC/UCC and cough >1 year reported cough severity with VAS, QoL with LCQ, and questions to explore physical impact (questions 5-Likert scale options from never-always). Patients were stratified in tertiles of VAS score. Pearson and linear-by-linear tests were used for comparisons. 

Results. In 189 patients (148 women,41 men), VAS tertiles were: 0-50 mm,60-70 mm, and 80-100 mm, Pearson correlation coefficient between VAS and LCQ total score was -0.5, p<0.001. Patients in higher severity VAS tertiles scored lower (indicating poorer QoL) in all LCQ domains and total scores. The percentages who reported frequently/mostly/always physical impact of cough was significantly higher in upper VAS tertiles (cough-related tiredness: p<0.001, breathlessness: p=0.001, interference with speaking: p<0.001, or eating: p=0.001 and urinary incontinence: p=0.004). 

Conclusion. This study describes association between VAS score with QoL (LCQ) and cough-related physical impact, suggesting it can be useful as overall assessment of RCC/UCC severity in clinical practice. Funded by MSD Spain.