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Int J Hyg Environ Health

Title:		The capsaicin cough reflex in patients with symptoms elicited by odorous chemicals
Author(s):		Holst H; Arendt-Nielsen L; Mosbech H; Vesterhauge S; Elberling J;
Address:		"The Danish Research Centre for Chemical Sensitivities, Department of Dermato-Allergology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark"
Journal Title:		Int J Hyg Environ Health
Year:		2010
Volume:		20090920
Issue:		1
Page Number:		66 - 71
DOI:		10.1016/j.ijheh.2009.08.005
ISSN/ISBN:		1618-131X (Electronic) 1438-4639 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Patients with multiple chemical sensitivity and eczema patients with airway symptoms elicited by odorous chemicals have enhanced cough reflex to capsaicin when applying the tidal breathing method. The aims of the present study were to test whether the capsaicin induced cough reflex was enhanced when applying the single breath inhalation method in similar groups of patients with symptoms related to odorous chemicals e.g. other persons wearing of perfume; and to investigate to what extent the reporting of lower airway symptoms influenced the cough reflex. Sixteen patients fulfilling Cullen's criteria for multiple chemical sensitivity and 15 eczema patients with airway symptoms elicited by odorous chemicals were compared with 29 age-matched, healthy controls. We measured C5--the capsaicin concentration causing five coughs or more--using the single breath inhalation test. No difference was found between groups in age, body mass index or pulmonary function. The median C5 were 129 micromol/L (control group), 48 micromol/L (multiple chemical sensitivity patients), 32 micromol/L (eczema patients). The reporting of lower airway symptoms from odorous chemicals was significantly (p<0.05) correlated to increased cough reflex sensitivity to capsaicin, independent of patient group or co-existence of asthma. The results suggest that the C5 is not reliable for diagnosing MCS but C5 can be used to verify presence of lower airway symptoms related to odorous chemicals"
Keywords:		"Adult Air Pollutants Bronchial Provocation Tests *Capsaicin/administration & dosage Capsicum/chemistry Case-Control Studies Cough/*etiology Dose-Response Relationship, Drug Eczema/physiopathology Female Humans Inhalation Exposure/*adverse effects Logistic;"
Notes:		"MedlineHolst, H Arendt-Nielsen, L Mosbech, H Vesterhauge, S Elberling, J eng Germany 2009/09/24 Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2010 Jan; 213(1):66-71. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2009.08.005. Epub 2009 Sep 20"