Changes of the cough reflex sensitivity following the septoplasty.

Abstract

Background: Doctors need information about cough reflex sensitivity influenced by symptomatic nasal septum deviation-the most common structural abnormality of the nasal cavity.

Objectives: We assessed the relationship between cough reflex sensitivity and increased nasal patency caused by the deviation of nasal septum.

Materials and methods: Eighteen adult patients (8 women and 10 men, age range 20-59 years, mean age 40.1 years) were included in the study. Capsaicin aerosol in doubling concentrations (from .49 to 1000 μmol/L) was inhaled by a single-breath method. We measured cough reflex sensitivity (C2, C5 values) before the septoplasty and 3 months after the septoplasty.

Results: Patients cough reflex sensitivity before and after the septoplasty for C2 value was [21.25 (10.23-44.14) μmol/L vs. 57.85 (27.67-120.95) μmol/L] and for C5 value was [75.75 (31.56-181.80) μmol/l vs. 190.93 (109.46-333.02) μmol/L]. We have noticed statistically significant decrease of the cough reflex sensitivity after the septoplasty for both values (C2 and C5) (p = .001, p = .021).

Conclusion and significance: Decreased nasal patency in patients after the septoplasty is related with decreased cough reflex sensitivity. Reduced cough reflex sensitivity after septoplasty is clinically significant, further research is needed to clarify the pathogenesis.