STaRR Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Sensations and triggers of coughing pre- and post-treatment in chronic cough
IRAS ID
288299
Contact name
Paul A Marsden
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 4 days
Research summary
Do the triggers and sensations of chronic cough change following treatment and do they relate to cough rates, quality of life and diagnosis?
Chronic cough (present more than 8 weeks) is a common, troublesome and distressing problem seen in both primary/secondary care services. Despite this, few effective therapies exist and little is known about the impact of these therapies for the individual.
Refractory/Unexplained Chronic cough (RCC/UCC; cough without an identifiable cause, unresponsive to treatment) is recognised as hypersensitivity of the cough reflex. The diagnosis is one of exclusion following systematic trials of treatment/investigations for other causes/triggers of cough. Individuals with chronic cough give a characteristic history describing similar sensations (e.g. an ‘itch’ in the throat) and triggers (e.g. change in temperature) of cough. It is unknown whether these triggers/sensations relate to the cause of cough and whether they change following treatment. Our group has developed a validated questionnaire (ToPiC) which describes the sensations/triggers associated with cough.
We will investigate whether the triggers/sensations provoking cough change following treatment and whether this relates to changes in objective (measured) and subjective (reported) measures of cough and quality of life. In addition, we seek to ascertain whether these triggers/sensations can predict the diagnosis, therefore resulting in earlier diagnosis and treatment.
This study will recruit individuals referred to the Manchester Cough Clinic (MCC) at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT). Subjects will, in addition to usual clinical assessment, complete questionnaires to assess how often they cough, how cough impacts their quality of life and cough triggers/sensations. They will also undergo 24 hour cough recording to determine how often they cough. Study procedures will be completed at first clinic visit and after completion of treatment/investigations.
The study is funded by an Investigator initiated grant from Merck Sharpe & Dohme Ltd.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NW/0210
Date of REC Opinion
22 Aug 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion