Management of Cough in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Results of the Multicenter Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2021 May 5:16:1243-1253. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S292109. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Background: Chronic cough declines quality of life and increases risk of complications in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Reducing cough severity and associated negative effects is important therapeutic goal in COPD. Rengalin with anti- and protussive activity is based on technologically processed antibodies to bradykinin, histamine and morphine.

Aim: To evaluate efficacy and safety of Rengalin in treatment of cough in patients with COPD.

Methods: Patients (n=238, mean age 64.3±8.2 years) with stable COPD and persistent cough despite maintenance therapy (anticholinergics, beta-2-adrenergic agonists, inhaled corticosteroids) were included and randomized in the study. The severity of cough assessment (according to the "Cough Severity Score"), COPD impact on patient's life (COPD Assessment Test, CAT), and spirometry were performed at screening. Patients took Rengalin or Placebo 2 tablets 2 times daily for 4 weeks. The endpoints were proportion of patients who responded to treatment, dynamics of cough severity, and severity of COPD symptoms. Intention-to-treat (per protocol) analysis was performed.

Results: Positive response to Rengalin was recorded in 83.6 [85.7]% (vs 72.6 [72.7]% in Placebo group, p=0.0422 [p=0.0163]). Double decrease of cough severity was reported in 42.2 [43.8]% in Rengalin group (versus 32.7 [32.7]% in Placebo; p=0.1373 [p=0.0907]). The total CAT score decreased by 3.3±4.2 [3.6±3.9] points (versus 2.5±4.1 [2.5±4.2] in Placebo group); the difference between groups was 0.79±4.16 [1.04±4.02] points (p=0.0870 [p=0.0416]). The number of patients with adverse events (AEs) in Rengalin (n=13) and Placebo (n=12) groups did not have significant differences (p=1.00). No AEs with certain relationship with study drug were registered.

Conclusion: Rengalin is an effective and safe drug in patients with stable COPD and persistent cough, despite stable doses of maintenance therapy according to the GOLD guidelines. Four-week therapy decreases severity of cough by two times in more than 40% of patients.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (id: NCT03159091).

Keywords: Rengalin; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; cough; cough management; treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Aged
  • Cough / diagnosis
  • Cough / drug therapy
  • Cough / etiology
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / complications
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / drug therapy
  • Quality of Life

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03159091

Grants and funding

This study was funded by OOO NPF MATERIA MEDICA HOLDING. Rengalin is a preparation manufactured and marketed by OOO NPF MATERIA MEDICA HOLDING. OOO NPF MATERIA MEDICA HOLDING holds the patent on Rengalin.