Development of a Cough Control Questionnaire (CCQ)
This study is creating a new tool called the Cough Control Questionnaire (CCQ) to help doctors and researchers better understand and measure how cough affects people. Many people suffer from long-lasting cough, which can significantly impact their daily lives. While there are some ways to measure cough severity, there isn't a simple, widely used questionnaire designed specifically to assess how well a person's cough is controlled over time. The goal is to develop a reliable questionnaire that's easy for patients to use. This will help evaluate new treatments and improve care for people with cough by providing a clear way to see if treatments are making a difference.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Many people worldwide suffer from a cough that lasts a long time – often more than eight weeks. This kind of chronic cough can really affect daily life and overall health. While doctors have some tools to understand how severe a cough is, there isn't a specific, easy-to-use questionnaire that focuses on how well a person's cough is `controlled`. Think of it like asthma; there are questionnaires that help people and their doctors see if their asthma is well managed. This study aims to create something similar for cough.
The main goal of this research is to develop a new questionnaire, called the Cough Control Questionnaire (CCQ). This questionnaire will be designed with patients in mind, making sure it asks the right questions about how cough impacts their lives and how well they feel it's being managed. If successful, this tool could be very useful for doctors when they're treating patients, and for researchers who are trying to find new and better cough treatments. It will provide a clear way to track if a treatment is actually helping to control someone's cough.
The study involves several important steps. First, researchers will look at existing tools for other breathing conditions. Then, they will talk to people who have chronic cough through group discussions (focus groups) to understand their experiences and what `cough control` means to them. Based on these discussions and expert advice, they will develop the questions for the CCQ. Finally, they will test the questionnaire with a group of people who have chronic cough to make sure it's accurate and reliable. They will also compare the questionnaire's results with other ways of measuring cough, including special cough monitors.
Key takeaways
- Developing a new tool to measure cough control.
- Aims to improve treatment and understanding of chronic cough.
- Involves patient feedback to create relevant questions.
- No new medicines are given in this study.
- Participation includes filling out questionnaires and optional cough monitoring.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for adults aged 18 and over who have either a short-term cough (acute) or a long-lasting cough (chronic cough), including those where the cause isn't clear or it's hard to treat. You need to be able to read and write in English to take part.
A small number of healthy volunteers, who don't have any major breathing problems, will also be included in the study to help compare results.
Who can't take part? If you currently smoke or have smoked in the last year, if you've had a chest infection in the past month, if you're taking certain blood pressure medications called ACE inhibitors, or if you're pregnant, you won't be able to join this study.
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?
- Can you read and write in English?
- Do you currently NOT smoke and haven't smoked in the last 12 months?
- Have you NOT had a chest infection in the last 4 weeks?
- Are you NOT taking ACE inhibitor medications (common for blood pressure)?
- Are you NOT pregnant?
What does participation involve?
This study doesn't involve new medication. Your participation will mainly involve completing the new Cough Control Questionnaire (CCQ), along with other assessments to measure your cough severity and general health. Some participants might also be invited to use a cough frequency monitor (a device that records how often you cough) and undergo a cough challenge test (a procedure to see how sensitive your airways are). The total duration of your participation will depend on which parts of the study you are involved in, but it will involve several assessment points to test the questionnaire over time.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- King's College HospitalVerified postcodeLondon, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Common questions
What is a 'chronic cough'?
A chronic cough is a cough that lasts for more than eight weeks.
What is the Cough Control Questionnaire (CCQ)?
It's a new set of questions being developed to help measure how well a person's cough is being managed and how it affects their daily life.
Will I have to take any new medicines?
No, this study does not involve taking any new medications.
Why is this questionnaire needed?
It will help doctors and researchers better understand cough control, improving treatment and care for people with ongoing cough.
What is a cough frequency monitor?
It's a device that can record how often you cough, giving a factual measure of your cough activity.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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