An observational study on cough in children: Epidemiology, impact on quality of sleep and treatment outcome

Francesco De Blasio, Peter V. Dicpinigaitis, Bruce K. Rubin, Gianluca De Danieli, Luigi Lanata, Alessando Zanasi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Cough is one of the most frequent symptoms in children and is the most common symptom for which children visit a health care provider.Methods: This is an observational study on acute cough associated with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in children. The study evaluates the epidemiology and impact of cough on quality of sleep and children's activities, and the outcome of cough with antitussive treatments in pediatric routine clinical practice. Study assessments were performed through a pediatric cough questionnaire (PCQ), developed by the Italian Society of Cough Study. A total of 433 children visited by family care pediatricians for acute cough due to a URTI were enrolled in this study, with mean age of 6.1 years (SD 3.6). Cough type, duration, severity and frequency, cough impact on sleep disturbances of children and parents and on school and sport activities were assessed at baseline. In a subset of 241 children who were either treated with antitussive drugs (levodropropizine n = 101, central antitussives n = 60) or received no treatment (n = 80), the outcome of cough after 6 days was analyzed in terms of resolution, improvement, no change, or worsening. Descriptive analysis, χ 2 test, and multivariate analysis with stepwise logistic regression were performed.Results: Cough disturbed sleep in 88% of children and 72% of parents. In children treated with cough suppressants, the duration, type, intensity, and frequency cough were similar at baseline in the two groups respectively treated with levodropropizine and central antitussives (cloperastine and codeine). Both levodropropizine and central drugs reduced cough intensity and frequency. However, percentage of cough resolution was higher with levodropropizine than with central antitussives (47% vs. 28% respectively, p = 0.0012).Conclusions: Acute cough disturbs sleep in most children and their parents. Both levodropropizine and central antitussives reduced cough intensity, with levodropropizine producing a higher cough resolution rate.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number1
JournalCough
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 23 2012

Keywords

  • Antitussive
  • Children
  • Cloperastine
  • Codeine
  • Cough
  • Levodropropizine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'An observational study on cough in children: Epidemiology, impact on quality of sleep and treatment outcome'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this