Cough ability measurements and recurrent respiratory symptoms in individuals with Ataxia Telangiectasia. (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vilozni, Daphna; Lavie, Moran; Sarouk, Ifat; Levi, Yonit; Alcaneses Ofek, Mary-Rose; Efrati, Ori
• Is Part Of: Journal of asthma. Volume 53:Number 1(2016)
• Page Start: 37
• Page End: 42
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Ataxia Telangiectasia -- cough -- pneumonia -- spirometry; Asthma -- Periodicals; 616.238005
• DOI: 10.3109/02770903.2015.1032304
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-0903

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives : Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T) individuals often present with respiratory muscle weakness, causing recurrent respiratory system infections, asthma-like symptoms, and chronic cough life-threatening events. The cough flow volume maneuver may reveal powerless airflow needed for efficient cough. The study aims to explore cough ability in relation to the flow/volume maneuver. Methods : Data collected retrospectively from clinical charts of 35 A-T patients (age 12.7 ± 4.9 years) included forced expiratory and cough flow/volume maneuvers performed on the same day. Analysis compared among the maneuvers matching indices, numbers of cough-spikes, flow rate decay, and the reference data of similar ages. Adjusted to age, BMI, and number of hospitalizations prior to the tests, values were correlated with the cough indices. Results : Cough peak-flow (C-PF) was propagated within 90 ± 20 ms compared with peak expiratory flow (PEF > 200 ms). C-PF measured values were higher than expiratory peak-flow measured values (3.27 ± 1.53 L/s versus 3.02 ± 1.52 L/s, respectively, but C-PF (%predicted) values were significantly lower than expiratory peak-flow (%predicted) (46 ± 15 versus 68 ± 20 %predicted, respectively, p < 0.002). The number of spikes/maneuver was low when compared with reference (2.0 ± 0.8 versus 6–12 spikes) and cough vital-capacity was lower than expiratory vital capacity (0.95 ± 0.43 versus 1.03 ± 0.47; p < 0.01). Inefficient C-PF was more prevalent in patients suffering from recurrent respiratory illness. The length of wheelchair confinement duration mostly influenced the C-VC level. Conclusions : The cough flow–volume curve can be applied as a method to follow cough ability in patients with A-T who showed a significantly reduced cough capacity. Further studies are needed to establish if the findings may aid decisions regarding cough assistance.