title: Characterization of urge to cough and cough symptoms associated with the common cold: results of a US internet survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our knowledge of cough physiology is limited despite years of study. Even less is known about the sensation of urge to cough. Given that limited clinical data are available about urge to cough and cough attributes during a common cold, we sought to gain insights into experiences and perceptions related to these symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  An internet survey consisting of 51 questions was fielded in the United States. Eligible survey participants included men and women aged 18 years and older who had suffered from a cold with cough within the three months preceding the survey. Participants who confirmed suffering from recurrent cough, asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, or gastrointestinal reflux were excluded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 19,530 initial respondents, 8011 had a cold in the past three months. Of these, 6484 (81%) had experienced cough symptoms; 2708 respondents with cough due to cold and no exclusionary condition made up the analysis sample. Most respondents (62%) reported that cough developed one to two days after the onset of cold symptoms, and 45% felt that cough worsened their other cold symptoms. In 69% of respondents, cough outlasted other cold symptoms. Urge to cough was reported by 98% of respondents, and among these respondents, 64% described it as uncontrollable and 65% rated severity as moderate. More than half of respondents (57%) considered the sensation of urge to cough and the act of coughing as equally bothersome. Although urge to cough and inability to control cough were the most bothersome aspects of cough due to cold, few (<20%) respondents asked healthcare providers for treatment recommendations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Symptoms of urge to cough and cough are common and have a significant impact on cold sufferers. Understanding attributes of these symptoms may provide insights for effective management and the development of novel treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: a Common Cold Centre , Cardiff University , Cardiff , Wales , UK.
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eccles
authors.affiliation: b Department of Clinical Medicine , Albert Einstein College of Medicine , Bronx , NY , USA.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dicpinigaitis
authors.affiliation: c Department of Pediatrics , University of Virginia School of Medicine , Charlottesville , VA , USA.
authors.forename: Ronald B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.affiliation: d Department of Allergy and Immunology , Rutgers NJ Medical School , Newark , NJ , USA.
authors.forename: Howard M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Druce
authors.affiliation: e Department of Respiratory & Personal Care , Pfizer Consumer Healthcare , Madison , NJ , USA.
authors.forename: Maryann
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adeleke
authors.affiliation: f Department of Systems & Statistics , Pfizer Consumer Healthcare , Richmond , VA , USA.
authors.forename: Ashley L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Mann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003139:Common Cold / Q000150:complications*; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D009093:Mucus; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012677:Sensation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D055553:Prescription Drugs
keywords: Cough; common cold; epidemiology; surveys; symptoms; upper respiratory tract infection; urge to cough