ToPiC-II: The Sensations Provoking Cough
Research type
Research Study
Full title
ToPiC-II: The Sensations Provoking Cough (Quantitative Sub-Study)
IRAS ID
128465
Contact name
Janelle Yorke
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Summary of Research
Cough is a protective reflex which is used to clear the upper airways of irritating material or mucus and yet it is the most common complaint for which people seek medical advice. Most coughs are caused by an infection which usually settles within 8 weeks. However, some people develop persistent coughing which can last from 8 weeks to several years. This persistent cough is known as ‘chronic cough’. \n\nThe literature describes a range of research into areas such as causes, mechanisms and potential treatments for chronic cough, however, little is known about the sensations patient’s feel prior to, or that provoke, coughing. The ToPiC study (11/H1015/7) was designed to investigate this niche area over two phases; 1a) item generation from face to face interviews, phase 1b) focus group discussions to discover any similarities and differences between patient experiences, and phase 2) testing face validity of the questionnaire. Phases 1a and 1b have already been completed and we have since compiled a list of 49 cough descriptions that will be refined and reduced in this quantitative study, ToPiC II. \n\nThe overarching aim of ToPiC and ToPiC-II is to develop a questionnaire that has the potential to characterise people with cough associated with different respiratory conditions. This questionnaire will also be used to better understand the different mechanisms driving cough in different diseases. \n\nWe aim to recruit up to 300 participants from two sites; University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Preston Hospital who will be asked to complete a series of questionnaires: the draft ToPiC questionnaire, St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire, cough severity diary. A sample of 90 participants will be asked to complete the ToPiC questionnaire a second time, and a global rating of change scale. \n
Summary of Results
The 49-item questionnaire describing the triggers and sensations of cough has been completed by patients with different respiratory diseases. A Rasch analysis has allowed items to be eliminated, producing a 13-item questionnaire which differentiates between chronic refractory cough and other respiratory disease where cough is present. This questionnaire will now be used in a further study to validate the results.
The questionnaire has also been shown to differentiate between other respiratory diseases and the results of the 49 item questionnaire have shown that different disease groups have different experiences of cough.REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/WM/0251
Date of REC Opinion
18 Jun 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion