Suppresion of Chronic Nocturnal Cough during Continuous Positiveairway Pressure (CPAP) Treatment in a Patient with Asthma Andobstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome

Abstract

Sleep disruption may develop in patients suffering from chronic cough and in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). An increasing number of reports are being published that suggest a relationship between chronic nocturnal cough and the occurrence of breathing disorders during sleep characteristic of OSAS. We report a case of a 59-year-old obese male (BMI 38.6 kg/m2) suffering from asthma and chronic nocturnal cough irresponsive to optimal asthma treatment. Based on an examination of the patient’s breathing function during sleep we established the diagnosis of moderate OSAS and initiated continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment, as a result of which the cough resolved. The successful outcome of using CPAP in preventing episodes of nocturnal cough was further confirmed after a year of CPAP use. This case report justifies the inclusion of OSAS in the differential diagnosis of nocturnal cough, including nocturnal cough in asthma patients. The use of CPAP, which prevents the development of apnoeas and hypopnoeas, may also lead to the resolution of chronic nocturnal cough.