title: Quality of life and capsaicin sensitivity in patients with airway symptoms induced by chemicals and scents: a longitudinal study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is common in asthma and allergy clinics to see patients presenting with upper and lower airway symptoms that are induced by chemicals and scents and not explained by allergic or asthmatic reactions. Previous studies have shown that these patients often have increased cough sensitivity to inhaled capsaicin; such sensitivity is known to reflect the airway sensory reactivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the duration of symptoms induced by chemicals and scents and to measure health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with chemically induced airway symptoms. We also wished to determine and compare repeatability of the cough response to capsaicin inhalation, and to evaluate the patients' airway sensory reactivity in a long-term perspective.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen patients with a history of at least 12 months of airway symptoms induced by chemicals and scents were followed over 5 years with repeated questionnaires, measurements of HRQL, and capsaicin inhalation tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The symptoms persisted and did not change significantly over time, and the patients had a reduced HRQL that did not change during the 5-year period. The capsaicin sensitivity was increased at the start of the study, the cough sensitivity was long-lasting, and the repeatability of the capsaicin inhalation test was considered to be good in a long-term perspective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Upper and lower airway symptoms induced by chemicals and scents represent an entity of chronic diseases, different from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with persistent symptoms, a reduced HRQL, and unchanged sensory hyperreactivity.
authors: Asthma and Allergy Research Group, Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. ewa.ternesten@lungall.gu.se
authors: Ewa
authors: E
authors: Ternesten-Hasséus
authors: Olle
authors: O
authors: Lowhagen
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Millqvist
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D002211:Capsaicin; D003371:Cough / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009812:Odorants; D011788:Quality of Life; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D002211:Capsaicin