Characterization of urge to cough and cough symptoms associated with the common cold: results of a US internet survey

Objectives: Our knowledge of cough physiology is limited despite years of study. Even less is known about the sensation of urge to cough. Given that limited clinical data are available about urge to cough and cough attributes during a common cold, we sought to gain insights into experiences and perceptions related to these symptoms. Methods: An internet survey consisting of 51 questions was fielded in the United States. Eligible survey participants included men and women aged 18 years and older who had suffered from a cold with cough within the three months preceding the survey. Participants who confirmed suffering from recurrent cough, asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, or gastrointestinal reflux were excluded. Results: Of 19,530 initial respondents, 8011 had a cold in the past three months. Of these, 6484 (81%) had experienced cough symptoms; 2708 respondents with cough due to cold and no exclusionary condition made up the analysis sample. Most respondents (62%) reported that cough developed one to two days after the onset of cold symptoms, and 45% felt that cough worsened their other cold symptoms. In 69% of respondents, cough outlasted other cold symptoms. Urge to cough was reported by 98% of respondents, and among these respondents, 64% described it as uncontrollable and 65% rated severity as moderate. More than half of respondents (57%) considered the sensation of urge to cough and the act of coughing as equally bothersome. Although urge to cough and inability to control cough were the most bothersome aspects of cough due to cold, few (<20%) respondents asked healthcare providers for treatment recommendations. Conclusion: Symptoms of urge to cough and cough are common and have a significant impact on cold sufferers. Understanding attributes of these symptoms may provide insights for effective management and the development of novel treatment strategies.

研究目标：尽管已有多年研究积累，但目前学界对咳嗽生理学的认知仍存在局限，而对于咳嗽冲动（urge to cough）的相关机制，我们的了解更为匮乏。鉴于当前关于普通感冒期间咳嗽冲动与咳嗽特征的临床数据极为有限，本研究旨在深入探究此类症状相关的患者体验与认知情况。
研究方法：本研究在美国开展了一项包含51个问题的互联网问卷调查。合格受访者需满足以下条件：年满18周岁的男性或女性，且在问卷填写前3个月内曾罹患伴咳嗽症状的普通感冒。若受访者自述存在反复咳嗽、哮喘、慢性支气管炎、慢性阻塞性肺疾病（chronic obstructive pulmonary disease）、囊性纤维化（cystic fibrosis）或胃食管反流（gastrointestinal reflux）病症，则被排除出本次研究。
研究结果：在19530名初始受访者中，有8011名在过去3个月内罹患过普通感冒。在这8011名感冒患者中，6484名（占比81%）出现过咳嗽症状；最终纳入分析的样本为2708名因普通感冒引发咳嗽且无上述排除病症的受访者。大部分受访者（62%）报告咳嗽症状于感冒发作后1至2天出现，45%的受访者认为咳嗽加重了其他感冒相关症状。69%的受访者的咳嗽持续时长长于其他感冒症状。98%的受访者报告存在咳嗽冲动，其中64%认为该冲动难以自主控制，65%将其严重程度评为中度。超过半数（57%）的受访者认为咳嗽冲动与咳嗽行为带来的困扰程度相当。尽管咳嗽冲动与无法自主控制咳嗽是普通感冒相关咳嗽最令人困扰的特征，但仅有不到20%的受访者向医疗保健人员寻求过治疗建议。
研究结论：咳嗽冲动与咳嗽症状在普通感冒患者中十分常见，且对患者的健康状态造成了显著影响。深入了解此类症状的特征，可为制定有效的临床管理方案与新型治疗策略提供理论参考。