Background and aim:

Atopy is not widely recognized as a treatable trait in the management of chronic cough (CC).

The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of atopy in patients with CC and its relationship with cough severity and response to cough therapy.

Methods 

Data of all adults with CC diagnosed in our cough center between 2018-2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Atopy was diagnosed as positive allergen skin prick test or increased level of specific IgE to allergens (?2 class). Cough severity was measured by 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) and cough related quality of life by Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ). Good response to the therapy was defined as reduction of VAS ? 30 mm.

Results

Among 240 patients with CC, atopy was confirmed in 60 patients (25%) (37F, 23M, median age 55 yrs, IQR 40-66) and in 53 of them allergic disease (asthma, eosinophilic bronchitis, allergic rhinitis) were diagnosed.  The most common aeroallergens were trees (22/60), house dust mite (19) and grasses (13). Median cough severity was 53/100 mm (IQR 32-73). Patients with CC and atopy did not differ in cough duration, severity or cough related quality of life in comparison to nonatopic patients. The proportion of patients who responded to cough therapy was similar in patients with and without atopy (29% vs 27.4%, p=0.96)

Conclusion

Although atopy is quite common among patients with CC it is not related with better prognosis in the management of CC.

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