Examining Change in Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Adults after Treatment of Chronic Cough: A Dissertation

Abstract

Background: Chronic cough is a common health problem with variable success rates to standardized treatment. Psychologic symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress have been reported in association with chronic cough. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the psychologic symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in adults with chronic cough 3 months after management using the ACCP cough treatment guidelines. Methods: This study used a descriptive longitudinal observation design. The major tenets associated with the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms were examined. Intervention fidelity to the study components was measured. Results: A sample of 80 consecutive patients with chronic cough of greater than 8 weeks duration was recruited from one cough specialty clinic. Mean age of subjects was 58.54 years; 68.7% were female; 98.7% were white, and 97.5% were non-smokers. Mean cough duration was 85.99 months and mean cough severity was 6.11 (possible 0 –10; higher scores equal greater cough severity). Cough severity improved post treatment (n=65, M=2.32, (SE =.291), t (64) =7.98, p=.000); cough-specific quality-of-life also improved (n=65, M=9.17, (SE=1.30), t (64) =7.02, p=.000). Physiologic (urge-to-cough r=.360, ability to speak r=.469) and psychologic factors (depression r=.512, anxiety r=.507, stress r=.484) were significantly related to cough-specific quality-of-life and to cough severity (urge-to-cough r=.643, ability to speak r=.674 and depression r=.356, anxiety r=.419, stress r=.323) (all r, p=.01); social support and number of diagnoses were not related to either variable. Those experiencing greater financial strain had worse cough severity. Women, those experiencing financial strain, and those taking self-prescribed therapy had worse cough-specific quality-of-life. Intervention fidelity to the study plan was rated as high according to observation, participant receipt, and patient/physician concordance. Qualitative review identified potential areas of variability with intervention fidelity. Conclusions: By measuring the factors related to the major tenets of the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms, this theory has helped to explain why those with chronic cough may have symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress and why these symptoms improve as cough severity and cough-specific quality-of-life improve. Moreover, by measuring intervention fidelity, it may be possible to determine why cough guidelines may not be yielding consistently favorable results.