coughing reflex,

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2007 Mar;115(3):425-9. Epub 2006 Dec 19.

Quality of life and capsaicin sensitivity in patients with airway symptoms

induced by chemicals and scents: a longitudinal study.

Ternesten-Hasséus E, Lowhagen O, Millqvist E.

Asthma and Allergy Research Group, Department of Respiratory Medicine and

Allergology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden.

ewa.ternesten@...

OBJECTIVE: It is common in asthma and allergy clinics to see patients presenting

with upper and lower airway symptoms that are induced by chemicals and scents

and not explained by allergic or asthmatic reactions. Previous studies have

shown that these patients often have increased cough sensitivity to inhaled

capsaicin; such sensitivity is known to reflect the airway sensory reactivity.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the duration of symptoms induced by

chemicals and scents and to measure health-related quality of life (HRQL) in

patients with chemically induced airway symptoms. We also wished to determine

and compare repeatability of the cough response to capsaicin inhalation, and to

evaluate the patients' airway sensory reactivity in a long-term perspective.

PARTICIPANTS: Seventeen patients with a history of at least 12 months of airway

symptoms induced by chemicals and scents were followed over 5 years with

repeated questionnaires, measurements of HRQL, and capsaicin inhalation tests.

RESULTS: The symptoms persisted and did not change significantly over time, and

the patients had a reduced HRQL that did not change during the 5-year period.

The capsaicin sensitivity was increased at the start of the study, the cough

sensitivity was long-lasting, and the repeatability of the capsaicin inhalation

test was considered to be good in a long-term perspective. CONCLUSIONS: Upper

and lower airway symptoms induced by chemicals and scents represent an entity of

chronic diseases, different from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary

disease, with persistent symptoms, a reduced HRQL, and unchanged sensory

hyperreactivity.

PMID: 17431493 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17431493?ordinalpos=1 & itool=EntrezSystem2.PEn\

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