| Popis: |
It is known that females cough more than males and have heightened cough sensitivity. What has not been elucidated are the mechanisms of gender differences, although they are believed to be caused by hormones as they occur at puberty with highlight in late adolescence. Chronic cough patients are more often females, some of them experiencing premenstrual worsening of cough. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of female sexual hormones on cough sensitivity, urge to cough, cough sound, laryngeal sensitivity and FeNO in healthy volunteers with normal menstrual cycle (MC) and females taking oral contraceptives (OC). Healthy females with normal MC (11) and females taking OC (11) underwent ENT exam and lung functions test to meet the inclusion criteria. Cough sensitivity and other parameters were examined in follicular and luteal phase. Level of oestrogen, progesterone,prolactin, LH and FSH were determined from blood and phase of MC was confirmed by USG. Cough sensitivity expressed as C2 and C5 increased significantly in luteal phase. FeNO and FEV1/FVC also followed the cyclic pattern in MC group, but not in OC. Urge to cough is similar in both groups, with premenstrual drop. Correlation analysis showed negative correlation of C2 & C5 with oestrogen levels in follicular phase and luteal phase (r=-0.44) and also negative correlation between C2 & C5 and progesterone in luteal phase (r=-0.19). Our data document hormonal influences on the cough sensitivity and indicate that premenstrual worsening of chronic cough could be caused by hormonally influenced rise of TRP channels activity with stronger correlation to oestrogen then progesterone. |
