People suffering from anxiety and depression more likely to self report severe chronic cough

As mental health comorbidities can impact patient perception of symptoms, understanding a potential association of anxiety and depression with patients’ perception of their cough may provide insight into preferred treatment plans.

A retrospective cohort study of patients presenting with chronic cough was completed. Demographics, anxiety and depression diagnoses, and patient-reported outcome measures were collected. Patient-reported outcomes between the four groups of patients—anxiety only, depression only, anxiety and depression, and none of these conditions—were compared using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests that were used for post-hoc analysis. Results: Cough Severity Index scores were higher in those with both anxiety and depression as compared to neither, with a median score of 26 (range: 5-39) versus 19 (range: 1-38), respectively (P = .041). These results were persistent also after controlling for sex and smoking status in the robust regression analysis.

Patients with prior diagnoses of anxiety and depression self-reported more severe symptoms for chronic cough. Adequately understanding the association of mental health with perceived cough severity may help for more individualized, successful treatment plans.

Reference:

Hari G, Naunheim M, Kallogjeri D, Huston M. Anxiety and Depression Diagnoses and the Cough Severity Index: A Retrospective Study. Ear, Nose & Throat Journal. 2023;0(0). doi:10.1177/01455613231180336

Keywords:

Chronic cough, self reported, people, suffering, from, anxiety, depression, Hari G, Naunheim M, Kallogjeri D, Huston M, Ear, Nose & Throat Journal