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Data from: Cough reflex sensitivity and urge-to-cough deterioration in dementia with Lewy bodies

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Jan 17, 2021 version files 9.62 KB

Abstract

Cough, an important respiratory symptom, predominantly involves the brainstem, and the urge-to-cough is modulated by the cerebral cortex. Lewy body disease is associated with decreased cough reflex sensitivity and central respiratory chemosensitivity. Additionally, the insula, associated with the urge-to-cough, shows decreased activation and atrophy in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). We investigated the relationships between cognition and cough reflex and the urge-to-cough and compared the differences in responses of patients with DLB and other dementia subtypes. We conducted a cross-sectional study within a geriatric ward of a university hospital involving elderly patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), DLB, or non-dementia (controls). The cough reflex sensitivities were estimated based on the lowest concentrations of inhaled citric acid that could induce ≥2 coughs (C2) or ≥5 coughs (C5). Subjects were asked to rate the urge-to-cough based on the threshold concentrations (Cu) using the modified Borg scale. C2, C5, and Cu were negatively correlated with cognitive function in female participants but not in males (P<0.01). The cough reflex sensitivity expressed as C2 and C5 were significantly higher in the DLB group than in the AD and control groups (P<0.01 adjusted for gender). The urge-to-cough threshold expressed as Cu was also significantly higher, while the urge-to-cough log–log slope was less responsive with the increasing cough-evoking stimuli in the DLB group than that in the other groups. The cough reflex sensitivity and perceived urge-to-cough deteriorated in the DLB group than in the other groups. This result might be valuable in treating patients with DLB.