Respiratory symptoms elicited by
perfume are common in the population but have unclear pathophysiology. Increased
capsaicin cough responsiveness has been associated with the symptoms, but it is unknown whether the site of the symptoms in the airways influences this association. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the site of airway symptoms elicited by
perfume and
cough responsiveness to bronchial challenge with
capsaicin. 21
eczema patients with respiratory symptoms elicited by
perfume were compared with 21 healthy volunteers in a sex- and age-matched case control study. The participants completed a symptom questionnaire and underwent a bronchial challenge with
capsaicin. Lower, but not upper, respiratory symptoms elicited by
perfume were associated with increased
capsaicin cough responsiveness. Having severe symptoms to
perfume (n=11) did not relate to the site of the symptoms in the airways and was not associated with increased
capsaicin cough responsiveness. In conclusion, respiratory symptoms elicited by
perfume may reflect local hyperreactivity related to defensive reflexes in the airways, and measurements of the
capsaicin cough reflex are relevant when patients with lower respiratory symptoms related to environmental
perfume exposures are investigated.