Bollemeijer Juliette F, Riemann Sebastian, Thio Hok Bing, Nijsten Tamar E C, Brusselle Guy, Pardo Luba M
Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
ERJ Open Res. 2025 Nov 10;11(6). doi: 10.1183/23120541.00364-2025. eCollection 2025 Nov.
Chronic pruritus (CP) and chronic cough (CC) are prevalent conditions with shared underlying mechanisms, including neuronal sensitisation and inflammation. While previous studies identified associations between pruritus and CC, limited data exist on their interplay when accounting for confounders such as smoking and asthma.
This cross-sectional study analysed middle-aged and older participants from a population-based cohort, the Rotterdam Study. Logistic regression models assessed associations between demographic and lifestyle factors ( smoking), CC (categorised as new-onset or persistent based on longitudinal data), asthma, and CP, reported as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Sensitivity analyses sequentially excluded participants with atopic dermatitis, asthma and a combination of atopic conditions.
In total, 4364 participants (age range 48-99 years, median age 71; 58.8% women) were included. Persistent CC was strongly associated with CP, doubling the odds in multivariable analyses (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.43-3.00). Smoking was independently associated with CP, with the highest odds in current smokers (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.10-1.92). The association between persistent CC and CP remained robust across all sensitivity analyses.
Persistent CC is strongly associated with CP, emphasising shared pathogenic mechanisms. Smoking emerged as a modifiable risk factor for CP. Longitudinal studies are needed to establish causality and optimise therapeutic and management strategies.
慢性瘙痒（CP）和慢性咳嗽（CC）是常见病症，具有包括神经元致敏和炎症在内的共同潜在机制。虽然先前的研究确定了瘙痒与CC之间的关联，但在考虑吸烟和哮喘等混杂因素时，关于它们之间相互作用的数据有限。
这项横断面研究分析了基于人群的队列研究——鹿特丹研究中的中年及老年参与者。逻辑回归模型评估了人口统计学和生活方式因素（吸烟）、CC（根据纵向数据分为新发或持续性）、哮喘和CP之间的关联，以优势比及95%置信区间报告。敏感性分析依次排除了患有特应性皮炎、哮喘和特应性疾病组合的参与者。
总共纳入了4364名参与者（年龄范围48 - 99岁，中位年龄71岁；58.8%为女性）。持续性CC与CP密切相关，在多变量分析中使几率增加一倍（优势比2.07，95%置信区间1.43 - 3.00）。吸烟与CP独立相关，当前吸烟者的几率最高（优势比1.46，95%置信区间1.10 - 1.92）。在所有敏感性分析中，持续性CC与CP之间的关联仍然很强。
持续性CC与CP密切相关，强调了共同的致病机制。吸烟是CP的一个可改变的危险因素。需要进行纵向研究以确定因果关系并优化治疗和管理策略。
