Table 1 Resolution of cough with thalidomide
Subject NoCough baseline*Cough outcome
1Most days a weekNot at all*
2Most days a weekResolved†
3Most days a weekA few days a month*
5Most days a weekResolved†
6Several days a weekResolved†
8Most days a weekNot at all*
9Most days a weekNot at all*
10Most days a weekResolved†
11Most days a weekNot at all*
12Most days a weekNo data
13Most days a weekA few days a month*

  • 11 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis described significant cough at baseline, as determined by question No 2 on the St George’s Hospital Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and 10 experienced marked suppression of cough with thalidomide.

  • Patient No 12: response unknown as he was lost to follow-up.

  • *Cough as recorded by subjects on question No 2 of the SGRQ: “Over the last 3 months, I have coughed: most days a week; several days a week; a few days a month; only with chest infections; not at all.”

  • †Subjects who did not complete the 3 month follow-up were asked about cough at the exit interview.