RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

An Observational Study Using Novel Questionnaire to Characterize Cough Phenotypes in Patients With Chronic Cough

This study is looking into chronic cough, which is a cough lasting longer than eight weeks. Traditionally, coughs are described as wet or dry, but this study focuses on the different patterns your cough might have. We believe these patterns could be closely linked to how often, how strongly, and how severely you experience your cough. To explore this, we've developed a new, simple questionnaire. This questionnaire helps you describe your cough patterns and how much your cough affects your daily life. The first part of our study checks if this questionnaire is easy to understand and use. The second part will see if your answers are consistent over several weeks. Your participation will help us understand chronic cough better and potentially lead to more effective ways to help people who suffer from it.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Enrolment target

Start

24 Oct 2022

Estimated completion

10 Dec 2025

Chronic Cough

What is this study about?

Imagine your cough isn't just one type, like 'wet' or 'dry', but actually has a rhythm or a pattern to it – maybe it comes in bursts, or is constant, or changes throughout the day. This study wants to explore these different cough patterns that people with a long-lasting (chronic) cough experience. We believe that understanding these patterns could give us important clues about how severe your cough really is and how it impacts your life. Because only you truly know how your cough feels, your personal experience is key to this research.

To do this, we've created a simple, one-page questionnaire. It shows four common cough patterns, but also allows you to describe your own unique pattern if it's not listed. The questionnaire also asks you to rate, on a scale of 1 to 10, how frequent and intense your cough is, and how much it disrupts your daily activities. Adding up these scores gives us an overall idea of your cough's severity. Your answers will help us understand if different cough patterns are linked to how much a cough bothers you.

This study has two main goals. First, we want to make sure that people with chronic cough, like yourself, find our new questionnaire easy to understand and complete with minimal help. We also want to check if the cough patterns we've included cover most of the patterns people experience. Secondly, we want to see if your answers on the questionnaire remain consistent if you fill it out over a few weeks. This helps us ensure the questionnaire is reliable. By taking part, you’ll be helping medical professionals get a clearer picture of chronic cough and hopefully find better ways to help others in the future.

Key takeaways

The study aims to understand cough patterns in people with chronic cough.
You'll complete a new, simple questionnaire about your cough and how it affects you.
There are no medicines or new treatments involved; it's an observational study.
Your input helps researchers improve understanding of chronic cough.
You can withdraw from the study at any time.
Participation involves either one or two questionnaire completions.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult over 18 years old. You must have had a cough for at least eight weeks, and a chest X-ray within the last two years should not show any serious problems. It's also important that you don't currently smoke, and if you used to smoke, you must have quit at least six months ago. You should also be able to understand and speak English well enough to follow the study instructions and fill out the questionnaire. We also need to make sure you're comfortable with signing consent forms.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you've had a recent chest infection in the last four weeks, or if you have any other serious or unstable health conditions that the study doctors feel would make it unsafe for you to participate. Also, if you've recently taken part in another medical study involving a new drug or treatment within the last 30 days, you might not be eligible. If the study doctor feels for any other reason that this study isn't right for you, then unfortunately you won't be able to take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you had a cough for at least 8 weeks?
Have you had a clear chest X-ray in the last 2 years?
Do you currently not smoke, and if you used to smoke, have you quit at least 6 months ago?
Can you read and speak English well enough to understand study materials?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, the study mostly involves filling out a questionnaire. First, we'll check if you're suitable for the study. If so, you'll complete our new cough questionnaire. This will be during one visit to the study centre.

For some participants, there's a second step. If you're suitable, you'll fill out the questionnaire, and then we'll ask you to fill it out again 2-4 weeks later. The consent process, where we explain the study and answer your questions, can happen either in person at the study site or over the phone, whichever is more convenient for you. We'll make sure you have all the information and time to ask questions before you agree to participate.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may not directly benefit your chronic cough, as it's observational and doesn't involve new treatments. However, your insights will be very valuable in helping researchers better understand chronic cough, potentially leading to improved ways of caring for patients in the future. The risks of participating are minimal, mainly involving the time spent answering questionnaires. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Redspiratory Medicine, First Floor, Daisy Building, Castle Hill Hospital
Verified postcode
Cottingham, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'chronic cough'?

Chronic cough means a cough that has lasted for eight weeks or longer.

What will I actually *do* in this study?

You'll fill out a new questionnaire about your cough. Some people will do it twice, a few weeks apart.

Do I need to take any new medicines?

No, this study doesn't involve any new medicines or treatments.

How long will the study take for me?

For most, it's one visit to complete a questionnaire. For some, there will be a second questionnaire a few weeks later.

Will my information be kept private?

Yes, all your personal information and responses will be kept confidential.

How to find out more

Caroline Wright, BSc

c.wright@hull.ac.uk 01482624067 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.