Risk factors for respiratory symptoms in adults: the Busselton Health Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of reported doctor-diagnosed 'asthma' increased between 1990 and 2005-2007 in Busselton, Western Australia, accompanied by increased reported cough and phlegm but not recent wheeze. Possible reasons for the increase in diagnosed asthma include environmental exposures and diagnostic transfer. The aim of this study was to relate subject characteristics and exposures to the presence of wheeze and/or current cough/phlegm in the 2005-2007 survey. METHODS: A gender- and age-stratified random sample of 2862 adults from the Busselton shire completed questionnaires regarding doctor-diagnosed asthma, respiratory symptoms and environmental exposures; and measures of anthropometry, spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide (eNO), airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and atopy. Associations between respiratory symptoms and subject characteristics were assessed in 2656 subjects. RESULTS: Wheeze was reported by 23% of subjects, cough/phlegm by 22% and both by 9%. The significant and independent correlates of wheeze were reflux symptoms, lung function, AHR, eNO, atopy, body mass index and smoking. The significant and independent correlates of cough/phlegm were reflux symptoms, lung function, smoking and dusty job. Subjects more likely to report only wheeze than only cough/phlegm were female, aged <40 years, atopic, had lower percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) or higher percentage predicted force vital capacity. CONCLUSIONS: A variety of risk factors was associated with wheeze or cough/phlegm or both. Increased non-allergic exposures may account for increased prevalence of reported cough and phlegm and may contribute to increased reported asthma in adults.

Management of patients with chronic cough using a clinical protocol: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Chronic cough is a common symptom the aetiology of which can be challenging to diagnose. Diagnostic protocols for chronic cough have required the use of specialist investigations which are not always easily available. We wanted to determine whether patients with chronic cough can be successfully managed using a clinical algorithm. METHODS: 112 consecutive patients with chronic cough were prospectively recruited into this study. They were assessed by history, physical examination, chest radiograph, spirometry and reversibility to nebulised salbutamol. A clinical diagnosis was made and the patient had an 8-week trial of appropriate therapy. Further therapeutic trials were carried out depending on response to treatment and the possible differential diagnoses. Investigations were carried out in cases of failed clinical trials and to exclude specific pathology. The "clinical arm" comprised patients managed on the basis of clinical assessment and without any investigations. The "investigative arm" comprised those who needed further investigations. RESULTS: 81 (72%) were managed in the clinical arm. Of these 74 (66%) were discharged following response to therapy. 31 (28%) patients were converted to the investigative arm after failure of diagnosis in the clinical protocol. The commonest causes of cough were gastroesophageal reflux, asthma and chronic rhinitis. 51 (45.5%) patients responded to therapy based on diagnosis at initial assessment while a further 23 (20.5%) patients responded to sequential clinical trials for the commonest causes of cough. Cough severity score improved by a mean of 3.6 points on a numeric response score (from 0-10, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: It is possible to manage a majority of chronic cough patients successfully using a protocol based on presenting symptoms and therapeutic trials for the common causes of cough.

Posture influences patient cough rate, sedative requirement and comfort during bronchoscopy: An observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate differences between semi-recumbent and supine postures in terms of cough rate, oxygen desaturation, sedative use, and patient comfort during the initial phase of bronchoscopy. METHODS: Consecutive bronchoscopy patients (n = 69) participated in this observational cohort study. Posture was determined by the bronchoscopist's usual practice. Patient demographics, spirometry, pulse, and SpO2 were recorded. The initial phase was defined as the time from bronchoscopy insertion to visualisation of both distal main bronchi. Cough rate, peak pulse, nadir SpO2, oxygen supplementation, and sedative use during the initial phase were recorded. A post-procedure questionnaire was administered to the patient and the attending nurse. RESULTS: 36 patients had bronchoscopy in the semi-recumbent posture, 33 in the supine posture. 3 of 5 bronchoscopists performed in both postures. There were no differences in baseline parameters between the groups. The semi-recumbent posture resulted in significantly less cough (mean (SD) 3.6 (2.3) vs. 6.1 (4.5) coughs/min, p = 0.007) and less fentanyl use (70 (29) vs. 88 (28) mcg, p = 0.011) in the initial phase. There were no significant differences in the nadir SpO2, fall in SpO2, oxygen supplementation, or increase in pulse rate between the groups. On 100 mm visual analogue scale, nurse perception of patient discomfort was lower in the semi-recumbent position (23 (21) vs. 39 (28) mm, p = 0.01), and there was a trend towards less patient perceived cough in the semi-recumbent group (28 (25) vs. 40 (28) mm, p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Bronchoscopy performed in the semi-recumbent posture results in less cough and sedative requirement, and may improve patient comfort.

Multiple endobronchial polyps.

Multiple endobronchial polyps are a rare finding. We describe a case of multiple benign endobronchial polyps in a 60-year-old woman who presented with a chronic cough and occasional hemoptysis. Chest computed tomography revealed bilateral basal cylindrical bronchiectasis, with filling defects in both main bronchi. Bronchoscopy revealed the presence of polyps in the distal trachea, both main bronchi, and in the lobar and segmental bronchi of all lobes of both lungs, with lesions from 2 to 10 mm in diameter. Larger lesions were treated with argon plasma coagulation. Histopathology was consistent with benign fibroepithelial polyps. Culture from bronchial washings isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the patient was treated with ciprofloxacin followed by a prolonged course of azithromycin. Symptoms improved, and repeat bronchoscopy at 3 and 6 months revealed complete resolution of all polyps.