JOURNAL ARTICLE
RESEARCH SUPPORT, NON-U.S. GOV'T
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Capsaicin inhalation test for identification of sensory hyperreactivity.

Respiratory Medicine 2002 September
BACKGROUND: Patients with upper and lower airway symptoms and with pronounced sensitivity to chemical odours, such as perfumes, flower scents and tobacco smoke, have been suggested to have sensory hyperreactivity (SHR). The symptoms have been difficult to identify with physiological measurements and the effects of various medications are doubtful. However, these patients have been found to be more sensitive to inhalation of capsaicin than healthy people. The aim of this study was to establish limit values with the capsaicin inhalation test in patients with SHR.

METHODS: Ninety-five consecutive patients with upper and lower airway problems, who were admitted for allergy testing, underwent a capsaicin inhalation test with three different concentrations. The number of coughs was registered during each challenge. Score systems were used for symptoms and influence on social life of sensitivity to odours. In relation to scored symptoms, the patients were grouped as SHR or not, and compared with 73 healthy controls.

RESULTS: All patients and controls coughed on capsaicin in a dose-dependent manner. Symptom score of odour sensitivity in patients was positively correlated to the response of the test. Out of 95 patients, 15 (16%) were scored to SHR. Patients with SHR reacted more to the capsaicin inhalation test than the other patients and the healthy controls. The limit values for a positive capsaicin inhalation test for the SHR were determined to be 10, 35 and 55 coughs at 0.4, 2.0 and 10 microM capsaicin, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The capsaicin inhalation test well reflects the degree of airway sensitivity to chemicals and to what extent the social life is influenced. The cut-off values of the test can distinguish patients with pronounced sensitivity to odours.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app