Data collection
cough, granulomas
INFLAMMATION, GRANULOMAS, PATHOLOGY
We collected data on patient demographics, smoking status, and environmental and occupational exposures. In addition to baseline clinical data, an expert pulmonologist and otorhinologist made a detailed descriptive analysis of presenting upper and lower respiratory symptoms through face-to-face interviews. The cough evaluation test (CET) was used to evaluate the impact of chronic cough on physical, psychological, and social aspectsSpirometry and 6 min walk test (6 MWT) were performed to evaluate pulmonary function.Fiberoptic bronchoscopy with BAL cellular analysis with/without TBLB (transbronchial lung biopsy) together with HRCT were performed to establish the diagnosis of HP.An expert otorhinologist performed nasal examination with nasal endoscopy and obtained a nasal biopsy under visualization by a rigid nasal endoscope from the level of the inferior turbinate using Blakesleytru-cut forceps to detect sinonasal affection in those patients and to evaluate the undergoing pathology, whether it's consistent with the histopathology of HP or irrelevant. An expert pathologist examined the biopsies for the presence of granulomas, the existence of underlying inflammation, and the type of predominant inflammatory cell.