Research

Cough and dyspnea during bronchoconstriction: comparison of different stimuli

Thais R Suguikawa^1*, Clecia A Garcia², Edson Z Martinez² and Elcio O Vianna¹

• * Corresponding author: Thais R Suguikawa tha_ss@yahoo.com

Author Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of S. Paulo at Ribeirão Preto, Brazil

² Department of Social Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of S. Paulo at Ribeirão Preto, Brazil

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Cough 2009, 5:6 doi:10.1186/1745-9974-5-6

Published: 25 June 2009

Abstract

Background

Bronchial challenge tests are used to evaluate bronchial responsiveness in diagnosis and follow-up of asthmatic patients. Challenge induced cough has increasingly been recognized as a valuable diagnostic tool. Various stimuli and protocols have been employed. The aim of this study was to compare cough and dyspnea intensity induced by different stimuli.

Methods

Twenty asthmatic patients underwent challenge tests with methacholine, bradykinin and exercise. Cough was counted during challenge tests. Dyspnea was assessed by modified Borg scale and visual analogue scale. Statistical comparisons were performed by linear mixed-effects model.

Results

For cough evaluation, bradykinin was the most potent trigger (p < 0.01). In terms of dyspnea measured by Borg scale, there were no differences among stimuli (p > 0.05). By visual analogue scale, bradykinin induced more dyspnea than other stimuli (p ≤ 0.04).

Conclusion

Bradykinin seems to be the most suitable stimulus for bronchial challenge tests intended for measuring cough in association with bronchoconstriction.