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IEEE Access : Practical Innovations,... 2020The current pandemic associated with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) presents a new area of research with its own set of challenges. Creating unobtrusive remote...
The current pandemic associated with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) presents a new area of research with its own set of challenges. Creating unobtrusive remote monitoring tools for medical professionals that may aid in diagnosis, monitoring and contact tracing could lead to more efficient and accurate treatments, especially in this time of physical distancing. Audio based sensing methods can address this by measuring the frequency, severity and characteristics of the COVID-19 cough. However, the feasibility of accumulating coughs directly from patients is low in the short term. This article introduces a novel database (NoCoCoDa), which contains COVID-19 cough events obtained through public media interviews with COVID-19 patients, as an interim solution. After manual segmentation of the interviews, a total of 73 individual cough events were extracted and cough phase annotation was performed. Furthermore, the COVID-19 cough is typically dry but can present as a more productive cough in severe cases. Therefore, an investigation of cough sub-type (productive vs. dry) of the NoCoCoDa was performed using methods previously published by our research group. Most of the NoCoCoDa cough events were recorded either during or after a severe period of the disease, which is supported by the fact that 77% of the COVID-19 coughs were classified as productive based on our previous work. The NoCoCoDa is designed to be used for rapid exploration and algorithm development, which can then be applied to more extensive datasets and potentially real time applications. The NoCoCoDa is available for free to the research community upon request.
PubMed: 34786285
DOI: 10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3018028 -
Clinical Infectious Diseases : An... Sep 2021
Topics: Cough; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Sjogren's Syndrome
PubMed: 34492700
DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1929 -
ERJ Open Research Jan 2021Cough is induced by inhaled prostacyclin analogues including treprostinil (TRE), and, at higher doses, treprostinil palmitil (TP), a prodrug of TRE. In this report, we...
Cough is induced by inhaled prostacyclin analogues including treprostinil (TRE), and, at higher doses, treprostinil palmitil (TP), a prodrug of TRE. In this report, we have investigated mechanisms involved in TRE- and TP-induced cough, using a dry powder formulation of TP (TPIP) to supplement previous data obtained with an aqueous suspension formulation of TP (TPIS). Experiments in guinea pigs and rats investigated the prostanoid receptor subtype producing cough and whether it involved activation of sensory nerves in the airways and vasculature. Experiments involved treatment with prostanoid, tachykinin and bradykinin receptor antagonists, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor and TRE administration to the isolated larynx or intravenously. In guinea pigs, cough with inhaled TRE (1.23 µg·kg) was not observed with an equivalent dose of TPIP and required higher inhaled doses (12.8 and 35.8 µg·kg) to induce cough. TRE cough was blocked with IP and tachykinin NK receptor antagonists but not with EP, EP, EP, DP or bradykinin B antagonists or a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. TRE administered to the isolated larynx or intravenously in rats produced no apnoea or swallowing, whereas citric acid, capsaicin and hypertonic saline had significant effects. The mechanisms inducing cough with inhaled TRE likely involves the activation of prostanoid IP receptors on jugular C-fibres in the tracheobronchial airways. Cough induced by inhaled dry powder and nebulised formulations of TP occurs at higher inhaled doses than TRE, presumably due to the slow, sustained release of TRE from the prodrug resulting in lower concentrations of TRE at the airway sensory nerves.
PubMed: 33614774
DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00592-2020 -
Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory... 2022The data in regard of the clinical characteristics and diagnosis of somatic cough syndrome in adults were limited. The aim of this study was to fill that gap.
OBJECTIVE
The data in regard of the clinical characteristics and diagnosis of somatic cough syndrome in adults were limited. The aim of this study was to fill that gap.
METHODS
This was a retrospective analysis of patients with somatic cough syndrome. We described clinical characteristics of adult patients with somatic cough syndrome.
RESULTS
Twenty-three somatic cough syndrome patients were identified in 543 adult patients with chronic cough. Psychiatric disorder of these patients was identified as anxiety ( = 8), obsessive-compulsive ( = 7), somatoform ( = 6), depression ( = 3), and cognitive bias ( = 1). Twelve patients showed abnormal results of investigations related with common causes of chronic cough, including gastroesophageal reflux, sputum eosinophilia, bronchial hyper-responsiveness, or signs of sinusitis but did not respond to the treatments directed to those conditions. All these patients were ever misdiagnosed as other causes of chronic cough. Compared to 520 non-somatic cough syndrome patients, patients with somatic cough syndrome were younger (32 (29.0-43.0) 42.0 (32.0-55.0) years, = 0.013), longer disease duration (48.0 (19.5-102.0) 24.0 (9.0-72.0) months, = 0.037), more common in dry cough (100% 57.6%, < 0.001), and lower proportion of nocturnal cough (13.0% 40.2%, = 0.009). Common cold (60.9%) was the most common initial trigger of cough and itchy throat (60.9%) was the most common accompanying symptom in patients with somatic cough syndrome. Notably, there were similar distribution in cough triggers and accompanying symptoms between two groups.
CONCLUSION
In spite of much higher proportion of dry cough and smaller proportion of nocturnal cough, adult patients with somatic cough syndrome show similar clinical characteristics with other chronic cough patients, in regard of cough triggers, accompanying symptoms as well as abnormal results of investigations, which should be an important reason for misdiagnosis of somatic cough syndrome. Psychiatric disorder should be addressed in clinical management of chronic cough.
Topics: Adult; Chronic Disease; Cough; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Humans; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 35993575
DOI: 10.1177/17534666221092993 -
The Indian Journal of Tuberculosis Apr 2022To present a case of accidental sheath removal of tracheo-bronchial self-expandable metallic airway stent in a patient with endotracheal tumour.
OBJECTIVE
To present a case of accidental sheath removal of tracheo-bronchial self-expandable metallic airway stent in a patient with endotracheal tumour.
METHODS
Design: Case Report; Setting: Tertiary care hospital; Patient: One.
RESULTS
A 65 years male, follow up case of endotracheal tumor with tracheo-bronchial self-expandable metallic stenting done presented with dry cough and difficulty in breathing since 8-10 days and suddenly coughed out thin whitish paper-like material 2 days back (which later proved as sheath of metallic stent). Direct laryngoscopy with flexible videobronchoscopy was done which showed tracheal stent well placed and intact, coughed out sheath couldn't be replaced back. Procedure was uneventful and patient was discharged in satisfactory condition and is doing well on regular follow up.
CONCLUSION
Self-expandable metallic airway stents (SEMAS) represents a standard method of airways stenting especially when employed for the management of malignant central airway obstruction. Despite the obvious stenting advantages, it may be complicated with stent migration and accidental removal or coughing out of stent especially in high tracheal stenosis. In our case, as a peculiar complication there was accidental removal of the tracheal stent sheath which couldn't be replaced back whereas stent was well in place and intact. We need to be beware of such spurious tracheo-bronchial stents.
Topics: Airway Obstruction; Humans; Male; Neoplasms; Self Expandable Metallic Stents; Stents; Tracheal Stenosis
PubMed: 35379412
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijtb.2021.09.015 -
Anaesthesiology Intensive Therapy 2020Over the past three months, the world has faced an unprecedented health hazard. The World Health Organization has announced a pandemic infection with an unknown species... (Review)
Review
Over the past three months, the world has faced an unprecedented health hazard. The World Health Organization has announced a pandemic infection with an unknown species of coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Spreading mainly through the droplet route, the virus causes mild symptoms in the majority of cases, the most common being: fever (80%), dry cough (56%), fatigue (22%) and muscle pain (7%); less common symptoms include a sore throat, a runny nose, diarrhea, hemoptysis and chills. A life-threatening complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection is an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which occurs more often in older adults, those with immune disorders and co-morbidities. Severe forms of the infection, being an indication for treatment in the intensive care unit, comprise acute lung inflammation, ARDS, sepsis and septic shock. The article presents basic information about etiology, pathogenesis and diagnostics (with particular emphasis on the importance of tomocomputer imaging), clinical picture, treatment and prevention of the infection. It goes on to emphasize the specific risks of providing anesthesiology and intensive care services. Due to the fact that effective causal treatment is not yet available and the number of infections and deaths increases day by day, infection prevention and strict adherence to recommendations of infection control organizations remain the basis for fighting the virus.
Topics: Age Factors; Anesthesiologists; Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; Cough; Disease Progression; Fever; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Pneumonia, Viral; Risk Factors; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 32191830
DOI: 10.5114/ait.2020.93756 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide and is characterized by different presentations ranging from asymptomatic to severe pneumonia. COVID-19...
BACKGROUND
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide and is characterized by different presentations ranging from asymptomatic to severe pneumonia. COVID-19 affects all age groups, including pediatric patients. We observed numerous children complaining of a cough post-COVID-19, even if it was trivial. The most reported persistent symptoms after recovery from COVID-19 were insomnia, coughing, fatigue, dyspnea, loss of taste and/or smell, and headache. To date, residual cough post-COVID-19 has been reported in pediatrics and adolescents.
METHOD
we conducted a retrospective study, with a self-administered questionnaire by the patient or caregiver, 12 months post-COVID-19-infection.
RESULT
A total of 94.8% of patients were Saudi citizens and were mainly from the southern region of Saudi Arabia (50.0%). Mothers (64.4%) submitted most of the results. The ages were as follows: 6-14 years (51.0%), 3-5 years (32.3%), and younger than 2 years of age (only 16.7%). Females accounted for 41.7% of those studied. Nearly half of the patients (48.5%) had had a previous COVID-19 infection in 2022, with only 2.1% infected in 2019. Only 27/194 (13.9%) patients required hospital admission, and 7 of them (4.2%) required intensive care treatment. A total of 179 (92.2%) patients still reported persistent symptoms 4 weeks post-COVID-19-infection. A cough was reported in 69.8% of patients, followed by cough and wheezing in 12.3%. The cough was described as dry in 78.0% and nocturnal in 54.1%, while 42.5% did not notice any diurnal variation. For those reporting residual cough, 39.3% found that it affected school attendance and daily activities, 31.1% reported associated chest pain, 51.9% associated it with wheezing, and 27.1% associated it with shortness of breath. For 54.4%, the residual cough lasted less than one month, while 31.4% reported a 1-2 month duration. Only 1.0% had a duration of cough of more than 3 months. For cough relief, 28.2% used bronchodilators, 19.9% used cough syrup, 16.6% used a combination of bronchodilators and steroid inhalers, and 1.7% used antibiotics. Surprisingly, 33% attempted herbal remedies for cough relief. Sesame oil was used the most (40.0%), followed by a mixture of olive oil and sesame oil (25.0%), and 21.7% used male frankincense. The majority (78.4%) sought medical advice for their post-infection cough, either from general pediatricians (39.5%) or via specialist pediatric pulmonology consultations (30.9%). A total of 11.0% with a residual cough reported having pets at home, while 27.2% reported secondhand smoke exposure in the household. Before infection with COVID-19, only 32.6% were diagnosed with asthma, while 68.2% reported a diagnosis of atopic skin.
CONCLUSIONS
There was a high prevalence of residual cough post-COVID-19, extended for a minimum of two months, and the characteristics of the cough were very similar to those of asthmatic patients. There was still a high prevalence of using cough syrup and herbal remedies, especially olive oil, sesame oil, and male frankincense. A residual cough adversely affected school attendance in daily activities, and there was a high prevalence of other siblings in the family being affected. The study showed that a minority of patients were seen by the pulmonologist; luckily, long COVID was rare in our study, and so further studies are highly needed to confirm the association with asthma. More educational programs are highly needed regarding herbal remedies and cough syrup.
PubMed: 37371263
DOI: 10.3390/children10061031 -
Cureus Sep 2022Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is a rare, idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. wherein the first symptom might be dyspnea or a dry cough. The condition can also...
Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is a rare, idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. wherein the first symptom might be dyspnea or a dry cough. The condition can also be manifested with chest pain secondary to pneumothorax. While the definitive diagnosis is based on a histological evaluation (which is not often performed), a computed tomography scan shows findings, such as apical fibrosis and pleural thickening of the apical lobes, which help assess the diagnosis. We describe a case of PPFE diagnosed radiologically in a 69-year-old man. This case highlights that PPFE is a pathology that can go unnoticed for a long time, and patients might neglect the revealing symptoms such as coughing.
PubMed: 36259005
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.29211 -
Current Pharmacology Reports 2021COVID-19 represents the biggest health challenge. Although the mortality rate of COVID-19 is low, the high numbers of infected people and those with post-COVID-19... (Review)
Review
COVID-19 represents the biggest health challenge. Although the mortality rate of COVID-19 is low, the high numbers of infected people and those with post-COVID-19 symptoms represent a real problem for the health system. A high number of patients with COVID-19 or people recovered from COVID-19 suffer from a dry cough and/or myalgia. Interestingly, an imbalance in bradykinin was observed in COVID-19 patients, which might be due to the accumulation of bradykinin as a result of a reduction in the degradation of bradykinin. This finding inspired the idea of possible similitude between the dry cough that is induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and the COVID-19-induced dry cough. Both of these types of cough are mediated, at least partially, by bradykinin. They both manifested as a persistent dry cough that is not responded to traditional dry cough remedies. However, several drugs were previously investigated for the treatment of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced dry cough. Here, we hypothesized that such treatment might be useful in COVID-19-induced dry cough and other bradykinin-related symptoms such as generalized pain and myalgia. In this article, evidence was presented to support the use of indomethacin as a potential treatment of COVID-19-induced dry cough. The choice of indomethacin was based on its ability to suppress the cyclooxygenase enzyme while also lowering the level of the inflammatory mediator bradykinin. Furthermore, indomethacin has been shown to be effective in treating angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced dry cough. Moreover, indomethacin is a long-established, low-cost, effective, and readily available medication.
PubMed: 33907665
DOI: 10.1007/s40495-021-00257-6 -
ERJ Open Research May 2023Chronic cough is a common symptom in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), negatively contributing to health-related quality of life. Despite this, there is...
RATIONALE
Chronic cough is a common symptom in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), negatively contributing to health-related quality of life. Despite this, there is limited information and understanding on the experience of this group of patients with chronic cough. This study aimed to explore the symptom experiences for chronic cough in patients with ILD to identify its characteristics and impacts.
METHODS
A qualitative study using semi-structured telephone interviews was undertaken in 16 adults with a diagnosis of ILD of any type and severity. Patients were recruited from a quaternary referral centre in Melbourne, Australia. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded by two researchers using thematic analysis.
RESULTS
Patients (age range: 39-87 years, forced vital capacity: 53-107% predicted and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide: 28-89% predicted) experienced a spectrum of cough severity and characteristics, including both dry and productive coughs. The impact of chronic cough included physical symptoms, social and emotional difficulties, and interference with work and vocational participation. Management strategies used to relieve cough included mucolytics, opiates, throat lozenges, warm drinks, pacing, breath control, relaxation exercises, movement, continuous positive airways pressure and supplemental oxygen. Patients expressed a need for further information and education regarding chronic cough, including its triggers and management.
CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the experience and significance of chronic cough in patients with ILD. The nature and severity of chronic cough in patients with ILD appears to be more heterogeneous than previously described, with physical, social and emotional impacts contributing to symptom burden.
PubMed: 37228271
DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00039-2023