A cross-section, observational, drug utilization study to assess productive cough symptom control in Br. asthma and phenotypes (ASTHMA*Cough study)

Cough is a protective reflex which help to remove any foreignmaterial and excessive mucous produced during the inflammation of therespiratory lining. However, cough impairs the quality of life in terms ofdisturbances in sleep, daily activities and social stigmata. Cough reflex iscomplex, which involves central and peripheral nervous system as well as thesmooth muscles of the bronchial tree. This results in bronchoconstriction,which in turn increase the sensitivity of the cough receptors. Thesupplementary role of Bronchodilatory Cough formulation in offering effectivecontrol of associated symptoms has been well highlighted. These bronchodilatorshave been suggested to offer ancillary actions that go beyond bronchodilationincluding differential impact on cough sensitivity, clearance of coughsecretions while reducing protrusive inflammatory mediators’ release that is socommon in these inflammatory conditions. At the same time these hypermucosecretory states are better controlled by a combination ofmucolytics/expectorants with bronchodilators. The complimentary action of themucolytics with bronchodilator including Terbutaline improves sputum viscosityand mucociliary clearance or expulsion for better control of productive coughsymptoms.

Data regardinguse of oral bronchodilator based cough formulations (BCF) and/or xanthines inmanagement of Bronchial asthma symptoms including cough remains unexplored.

To furtherassess the real world utilization of treatment strategies for Cough clearancein Bronchial asthma cases an observational, drug utilization, case control,concurrent analyses is planned.