Abstract
Cough sensitivity to inhaled capsaicin is heightened in female compared to male asthmatics. The influence of sex hormones on capsaicin cough dose response curves was examined in this study.
Subjects 18 to 35 years old had baseline assessments during follicular phase and required a positive skin prick test and capsaicin cough challenge, and methacholine PC20<16mg/ml to be eligible. Males (n=9) and females with a regular menstrual cycle (NC group n=13) or using combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP group n=9) were randomised for capsaicin cough challenge measured twice during the menstrual cycle; follicular phase (Day 1-5) and luteal phase (Day 21-25). Generalised Estimating Equations was used to generate cough dose responses, the maximum cough response evoked by capsaicin (Emax) and the dose inducing half-maximal response (ED50).
OCP females had higher Emax than NC and male groups (p=0.05) and lower ED50 (p=0.04) at baseline follicular phase, however there was no difference in Emax or ED50 at follicular or luteal visits between NC, OCP or male group after randomization. Cough dose response curves showed increased sensitivity in the OCP group compared to NC and males, and this was heightened during the luteal phase.
Female asthmatics receiving the oral contraceptive pill have increased sensitivity to capsaicin compared to natural cycle females and males, and this is heightened during the luteal visit.
Footnotes
Cite this article as Eur Respir J 2022; 60: Suppl. 66, 4235.
This article was presented at the 2022 ERS International Congress, in session “-”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2022
