Cough response to citric acid aerosol in occasional smokers.
Twenty two normal women volunteers underwent a standard cough provocation test by inhaling solutions of citric acid of progressively increasing concentration. Eight were non-smokers, eight moderate smokers, and six occasional smokers. All the non-smokers and moderate smokers coughed. Moderate smokers tended to cough more than non-smokers, but not significantly so. None of the occasional smokers coughed at all (p less than 0.001). Possibly the ability to smoke occasionally with enjoyment is a marker for a diminished cough reflex.
D000328:Adult; D002951:Citrates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019343:Citric Acid; D003371:Cough / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012907:Smoking
D002951:Citrates; D019343:Citric Acid