Capsaicin cough sensitivity increases during upper respiratory infection

The mechanism of cough associated with upper respiratory infection (URI) is poorly understood. This paper reports a study of the role of altered sensitivity of capsaicin-sensitive airway nerves. In a prospective study, baseline (B) capsaicin-induced cough and methacholine-induced airway responsivene...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Respiratory medicine 1996-05, Vol.90 (5), p.279-286
Main Authors: O'Connell, F., Thomas, V.E., Studham, J.M., Pride, N.B., Fuller, R.W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Administration, Inhalation
Adult
Bacterial diseases
Bacterial diseases of the respiratory system
Biological and medical sciences
Bronchial Provocation Tests
Bronchoconstrictor Agents - administration & dosage
Bronchoconstrictor Agents - pharmacology
Capsaicin - administration & dosage
Cough - diagnosis
Cough - etiology
Cough - physiopathology
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Female
Human bacterial diseases
Humans
Immunization
Infectious diseases
Male
Medical sciences
Methacholine Chloride - administration & dosage
Middle Aged
Prospective Studies
Reference Values
Respiratory Tract Infections - complications
Respiratory Tract Infections - diagnosis
Respiratory Tract Infections - physiopathology
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Summary:The mechanism of cough associated with upper respiratory infection (URI) is poorly understood. This paper reports a study of the role of altered sensitivity of capsaicin-sensitive airway nerves. In a prospective study, baseline (B) capsaicin-induced cough and methacholine-induced airway responsiveness were measured in 103 healthy volunteers. During the following year, 31 subjects reattended for challenge testing during URI (I) and after recovery (R). The log concentration of capsaicin required to elicit two coughs (C2) was significantly lower during infection than recovery but not baseline [median (interquartile range) B=0·59 (0·28–1·20), I=0·27 (0–0·89), R=0·89 (0·28–1·49)]. Log C5 (concentration causing five coughs) was lower during infection than baseline and recovery [B=1·79 (1·20–2·70), I=1·49 (0·89–2·08), R=1·79 (1·20–2·40)]. FEV 1 and PC 15 methacholine values were unchanged during infection compared to baseline. Subjects with dry cough ( n=14) had lower C5 values during infection than both baseline and recovery, and lower C2 values during infection than recovery; in these subjects, increase in capsaicin sensitivity correlated with cough severity score. Subjects with productive cough or no cough showed no consistent changes during infection. Twenty-six control subjects who reattended without URI showed no change in capsaicin sensitivity. Upper respiratory infection may cause cough as a result of increased sensitivity of capsaicin-sensitive afferent airway nerves without affecting airway calibre or responsiveness.
ISSN:0954-6111
1532-3064
DOI:10.1016/S0954-6111(96)90099-2