A Meta-analysis of the Therapeutic Effects of Capsaicin in Patients with Chronic Cough

Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of inhaled topical capsaicin versus placebo in reducing cough frequency and cough sensitivity scores in patients with chronic cough. To address this objective, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were performed. Methods: Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Weipu, and Wanfang were searched for RCTs evaluating capsaicin for the treatment of chronic cough. Studies were screened, their quality assessed, and data extracted; those that failed to meet the inclusion criteria were excluded. A systematic review and meta-analysis were then performed on the eligible studies. Results: This meta-analysis was prospectively registered in PROSPERO. A total of five highquality RCTs were included. Compared to the control group, there was a statistically significant reduction in cough frequency (Z=18.52, P