Validation of the cough phenotype TBQ among elderly Finnish subjects

What is it about?

In the present study, involving 1109 elderly subjects, cough phenotypes were determined utilizing a cluster analysis. It explores the data through an unsupervised separation of a dataset with little or no ground truth, into a discrete set of hidden data structures. The analysis identified two cough phenotypes: A smaller one characterized by several Triggers of cough, many cough Background disorders, and poor cough-related Quality of life (TBQ), and a larger one, which was called as the common cough phenotype. These results corroborated those of a previous study involving working-age subjects. The cough phenotype TBQ was associated with frequent doctor’s visits due to cough, use of cough medicines, and a high tendency for cough prolongation. Therefore, an identification of the phenotype TBQ may serve as an indication for prompt and comprehensive clinical evaluation regardless of the duration of the cough episode.

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