Here’s What’s Inside
The Research Roundup
New cough science publications vetted and collected in one place
1. Could inhaled alkaline hypertonic divalent salts (HDS) provide relief for refractory chronic cough (RCC)?
Key Takeaway: Cough frequency was reduced by up to 35%, with no adverse events, in this exploratory, single-blinded, nasal-saline-controlled study of inhaled alkaline HDS. 12 RCC patients, with cough rates of between 4 and 35 per hour, were monitored continuously for 1 week of baseline, 1 week of control, and 1 week of treatment.
Why It Matters: The study demonstrates the potential of inhaled alkaline HDS for RCC patients across the entire range of cough rates, by targeting upstream of cough receptor provocation. The study also demonstrates the potential of continuous cough monitoring to transform our understanding of treatment effects.
2. What can long-term cough monitoring tell us about the evolution of cough in pulmonary tuberculosis?
Key Takeaway: By monitoring pulmonary tuberculosis patients for 6 months of treatment, researchers demonstrated hourly cough rates dropped from 11 coughs-per-hour at week 1, to 1 cough-per-hour at the end of treatment in week 26.
Why It Matters: This study was the first of its kind monitoring tuberculosis patients’ cough for 6 consecutive months. It showed that community-based continuous cough-monitoring using digital technology is feasible in low resource settings but requires evolution of technology to overcome adherence issues and technical limitations.
3. Objective measurement and cough variability in pulmonary fibrosis patients
Key Takeaways: This cohort study included 28 pulmonary fibrosis patients (excluding IPF) who experienced coughing, with median cough counts of 13.1 and 9.7 coughs per hour, measured in 24-hour snapshots. The study found that patient-reported outcomes did not always align with objective cough measurements, suggesting that a multidimensional approach is essential for assessing cough in pulmonary fibrosis trials and daily care.
Why it matters: This study demonstrates both intra- and inter-subject variability in 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime cough frequencies, underscoring the importance of continuous cough monitoring in pulmonary fibrosis.
Plus…
NEW
In-Depth Cough Insights: Latest White Papers
Explore our latest white papers for comprehensive insights and cutting-edge research findings in cough science and digital health.
The importance of prolonged cough monitoring: Data-driven evidence for a 7-day standard
Other People’s Coughs: Challenges and Perspectives in Remote Cough Monitoring Using Wearable Devices
Cost-benefit analysis of at-home COPD monitoring
It’s a bout time: cough bouts as a measure of severity
Cough Science Events Ahead
Hyfe will be at DTx Europe on December 12-13 in London, sharing insights on developing a novel cough treatment. Connect with mindaugas@hyfe.com if you’re interested in learning more about this innovative digital therapy for refractory chronic cough.
We’ll also be announcing the next speakers for the quarterly online Cough Science Forum, scheduled for December 11. Stay tuned for more details.
