Koichi Hasegawa1, Susumu Sato2, Kazuya Tanimura3, Yoshinori Fuseya4, Kiyoshi Uemasu5, Yoko Hamakawa6, Atsuyasu Sato7, Michiaki Mishima8, Shigeo Muro9, Toyohiro Hirai10. 1. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. Electronic address: hase0111@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp. 2. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. Electronic address: ssato@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp. 3. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. Electronic address: kaztani@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp. 4. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. Electronic address: yfuseya@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp. 5. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. Electronic address: kuemasu@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp. 6. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. Electronic address: hyouko@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp. 7. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. Electronic address: atsuyasu@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp. 8. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. Electronic address: mishima@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp. 9. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. Electronic address: smuro@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp. 10. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. Electronic address: t_hirai@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cough and sputum production (symptoms of bronchitis) are common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Extrapulmonary comorbidities, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and post-nasal drip, also cause bronchitis symptoms. The impact of extrapulmonary comorbidities on the severity of bronchitis symptoms in COPD is unknown. The aim of this study was to quantify bronchitis symptoms and assess the impact of GERD and nasal symptoms on the severity of bronchitis symptoms in COPD. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, stable COPD patients were recruited and completed the COPD assessment test (CAT) and Cough and Sputum Assessment Questionnaire (CASA-Q) to quantify bronchitis symptoms. To evaluate extrapulmonary comorbidities, the Frequency Scale for Symptoms of GERD (FSSG) questionnaire and nasal symptom questionnaire were completed. The impact of these comorbidities on the severity of bronchitis symptoms was analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety-nine COPD patients were recruited. The presence of GERD symptoms (24.2% in the study population) was associated with more sputum symptoms. The presence of nasal discharge (43.4%) was associated with more cough and sputum symptoms, whereas post-nasal drip (13.1%) was associated with more sputum symptoms. On multivariate analyses, nasal discharge was associated with more cough symptoms. GERD and post-nasal drip were associated with more sputum symptoms. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the presence of GERD and/or nasal symptoms is associated with an increase in bronchitis symptoms. Careful assessment of extrapulmonary comorbidities is necessary in the evaluation of bronchitis symptoms in COPD patients.
BACKGROUND:Cough and sputum production (symptoms of bronchitis) are common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Extrapulmonary comorbidities, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and post-nasal drip, also cause bronchitis symptoms. The impact of extrapulmonary comorbidities on the severity of bronchitis symptoms in COPD is unknown. The aim of this study was to quantify bronchitis symptoms and assess the impact of GERD and nasal symptoms on the severity of bronchitis symptoms in COPD. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, stable COPDpatients were recruited and completed the COPD assessment test (CAT) and Cough and Sputum Assessment Questionnaire (CASA-Q) to quantify bronchitis symptoms. To evaluate extrapulmonary comorbidities, the Frequency Scale for Symptoms of GERD (FSSG) questionnaire and nasal symptom questionnaire were completed. The impact of these comorbidities on the severity of bronchitis symptoms was analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety-nine COPDpatients were recruited. The presence of GERD symptoms (24.2% in the study population) was associated with more sputum symptoms. The presence of nasal discharge (43.4%) was associated with more cough and sputum symptoms, whereas post-nasal drip (13.1%) was associated with more sputum symptoms. On multivariate analyses, nasal discharge was associated with more cough symptoms. GERD and post-nasal drip were associated with more sputum symptoms. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the presence of GERD and/or nasal symptoms is associated with an increase in bronchitis symptoms. Careful assessment of extrapulmonary comorbidities is necessary in the evaluation of bronchitis symptoms in COPDpatients.