DIAGNOSTICS OF SPONTANEOUS COUGH IN CHILDHOOD ASTHMA - RESULTS OF CONTINUOUS TRACHEAL SOUND RECORDING IN THE HOMES OF CHILDREN

Spontaneous cough is a symptom with diffuse diagnostic significance fo r childhood asthma, Information on the interrelations between presence /frequency of cough and other symptoms of asthma are not available to the physician, Tracheal sounds were continuously recorded in the homes of 60 children with and 30 without asthma, at 72 and 24 h, respective ly. Presence and frequency-of cough and presence of wheeze were scared by trained examiners. Wheeze was used to indicate airway obstruction during hours when peak expiratory flow (PEF) values were not available , PEF and self-reported dyspnea were assessed every 4 h. Results showe d that asthmatics coughed significantly more often than control subjec ts during exacerbations, but not during remission, The highest diagnos tic sensitivity percentages of cough were 72% for wheeze and 69% for a reduction in PEF >20%. However, the diagnostic specificity was poor, 41% for wheeze and 34% for a reduction in PEF >20%. Cough and dyspnea were independent, Three children did not cough during exacerbations, P ersistent, isolated cough was observed in two children, It was conclud ed that spontaneous cough is modestly predictive of asthmatic exacerba tions, but: not of diagnosis of asthma or severity of asthma.