Background and aim: The diagnostic work-up of chronic cough (CC) is challenging due to the high number of potential causes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between CC and severe OSA in a large cohort of patients.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing nocturnal recording for clinical suspicion of OSA were prospectively recruited in two French hospitals. Data regarding clinical characteristics and parameters of nocturnal recording were collected. Chronic cough was defined as cough lasting for at least 8 weeks. A propensity score matching was used to reduce the bias due to confounding variables. This propensity score was based on sex, age, BMI and the presence of gastro-oesophageal reflux, asthma and rhinosinusitis.

Results: Of 822 patients included in the study, 44.3% were female with a mean age of 52.9±14.9 years old and a mean BMI of 30.18±7.0 kg/m². The prevalence of CC in the whole population was 13.4%. Mean AHI was 20.1±22.0/h. Severe OSA (AHI ?30/h) was observed in 25.1% of patients. No differences were identified between patients with cough and those with no cough in terms AHI values (Figure) and AHI categories (p=0.62). After applying the propensity score, no association between CC and severe OSA (p=0.84) were determined. Similar results were observed for mild and moderate OSA.

Conclusion: We found no association between CC and OSA in a large cohort of patients investigated for suspected OSA