Quality of life associated with chronic cough in the multinational Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study: a cross-sectional study
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background. Chronic cough (CC) can impact daily life and persist for years. Its prevalence varies globally, but whether quality of life in CC also varies across regions is unknown. This study investigates the association of CC with mental and physical component scores of the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) reflecting health-related quality of life in a multinational study.
Methods. We analysed data from 19,642 adults (≥40 years), recruited between Jan 2, 2003 and Dec 26, 2016 in 31 sites (25 countries) from the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study, who provided information on quality of life and CC. We assessed associations using linear regression, adjusted for confounders, and used random-effects meta-analysis to examine differences by sex and gross national income.
Findings. Overall, lower mental (-1.42, 95%CI -2.11 to -0.73; I2 = 32.7%) and physical (-2.59, 95%CI -3.22 to -1.96; I2 = 40.1%) health scores were associated with chronic cough. The association between physical health score and CC did not materially differ between sexes or gross national income. In males, physical health seems to be more affected by CC amongst those living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In females, mental health also seems to be more affected by CC amongst those living in LMICs.
Interpretation. CC impairs health-related quality of life globally. However, it appears that physical health in males and mental health in females living in LMICs may be particularly affected by CC. These findings support the need to consider CC as a target for specific interventions to attenuate its burden on health and the economy.
Funding. Wellcome Trust (085790/Z/08/Z)
Methods. We analysed data from 19,642 adults (≥40 years), recruited between Jan 2, 2003 and Dec 26, 2016 in 31 sites (25 countries) from the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study, who provided information on quality of life and CC. We assessed associations using linear regression, adjusted for confounders, and used random-effects meta-analysis to examine differences by sex and gross national income.
Findings. Overall, lower mental (-1.42, 95%CI -2.11 to -0.73; I2 = 32.7%) and physical (-2.59, 95%CI -3.22 to -1.96; I2 = 40.1%) health scores were associated with chronic cough. The association between physical health score and CC did not materially differ between sexes or gross national income. In males, physical health seems to be more affected by CC amongst those living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In females, mental health also seems to be more affected by CC amongst those living in LMICs.
Interpretation. CC impairs health-related quality of life globally. However, it appears that physical health in males and mental health in females living in LMICs may be particularly affected by CC. These findings support the need to consider CC as a target for specific interventions to attenuate its burden on health and the economy.
Funding. Wellcome Trust (085790/Z/08/Z)
Date Issued
2025-06-26
Date Acceptance
2025-05-08
Citation
ERJ Open Research, 2025
ISSN
2312-0541
Publisher
European Respiratory Society
Journal / Book Title
ERJ Open Research
Copyright Statement
Copyright ©The authors 2025. This version is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licence 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
License URL
Identifier
10.1183/23120541.00453-2025)
Publication Status
Published online
Date Publish Online
2025-06-26