Cough acoustics in patients with COVID-19

While cough is a predominant symptom in COVID-19 patients, assessing acoustics could potentially offer information about the events occurring in the respiratory system during COVID-19.

Study

A group of researchers analyzed the acoustic findings of cough signals in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19.

A built-in microphone of a simple smartphone was used to record coughs. Recording was done in 2 groups of patients representing 2 different stages of COVID-19.

Group A

50% of the recordings were completed from this group on the day of admission
Group B

Remaining recordings completed from this group during the most severe stage of the disease

Cough sounds were recorded at 48 kHz and segmented into 3 parts: the first cough sound, the intermediate part, and the second cough sound.

Study findings

This indicates that cough acoustic characteristics vary at different stages of the disease in patients with COVID-19.

Recording and assessing cough characteristics is a novel way of understanding respiratory mechanics in patients with COVID-19

Reference: Caguana Vélez OA, Davidson C, Lozano M, et al. Presented at American Thoracic Society International Conference, May 13–18, 2022.