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Cough in the community: a cross sectional survey and the relationship to gastrointestinal symptoms
  1. A C Ford1,
  2. D Forman2,
  3. P Moayyedi3,
  4. A H Morice4
  1. 1Centre for Digestive Diseases, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK
  2. 2Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Medical School, Leeds University, Leeds, UK
  3. 3Gastroenterology Division, McMaster University, Health Sciences Center, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
  4. 4Division of Academic Medicine, University of Hull, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, East Yorkshire HU16 5JQ, UK
  1. Correspondence to:
    Professor A H Morice
    Division of Academic Medicine, University of Hull, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, East Yorkshire HU16 5JQ, UK; a.h.morice{at}hull.ac.uk

Abstract

Background: The prevalence and severity of chronic cough in the community is uncertain. In a large population of representative normal subjects, we explored the relationship between self-reported cough severity and frequency, and factors known to be related to the aetiology of chronic cough. In particular, we have examined the relative association between cough and symptoms of gastrointestinal disease.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in 36 general practices with subjects randomly selected from practice computer databases. Baseline lifestyle and demographic characteristics were recorded. Participants were asked how often in the previous 2 months they had experienced bouts or spasms of coughing. Cough symptom status was dichotomised into symptomatic using a cut off of bouts or spasms of coughing at a frequency of between once a week and once a day or above. Gastrointestinal data were collected using validated methodology.

Results: Questionnaires were sent to 6416 subjects and 4003 (62%) responded. The prevalence of chronic cough was 12%, and was severe in 7%. Following multivariate analysis, regurgitation (OR 1.71; 99% CI 1.20 to 2.45) and irritable bowel syndrome (OR 2.00; 99% CI 1.47 to 2.72) were strong predictors of cough. Smoking (OR 1.61; 99% CI 1.18 to 2.19), declining social class (OR 1.63; 99% CI 1.04 to 2.57), and quality of life at baseline (OR 1.63; 99% CI 1.13 to 2.35) were also significantly associated.

Conclusion: Chronic cough is a common symptom in the general population. Its strong association with gastrointestinal disease may have aetiological significance.

  • BMI, body mass index
  • IBS, irritable bowel syndrome
  • NSAID, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
  • cough
  • gastro-oesophageal reflux
  • prevalence
  • survey
  • irritable bowel syndrome

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Footnotes

  • Published Online First 29 June 2006

  • Funding: none.

  • ACF has no competing interests. DF has received speaker and consulting fees from AstraZeneca, Wyeth Laboratories and Takeda. PM has received speaker fees and research funds from AstraZeneca, Wyeth Laboratories, and Abbott Laboratories. AHM has received speaker fees and research funds from AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, and Merk Sharpe & Dome.