Sensory hyperreactivity (SHR) has been suggested as one explanation for chemically induced airway symptoms; it can be diagnosed with a capsaicin inhalation test. Previous capsaicin inhalation studies of SHR have used a Pari Boy^® device. This model of inhalator device has become outdated, hence it is necessary to abandon it in favour of a new device. The aim of this study was to transfer the capsaicin inhalation test using the Pari Boy^® device to a corresponding model using the Maxin MA3^® device.

Twenty-one patients with SHR and 44 healthy controls visited the clinic twice and underwent a randomised protocol. The participants were provoked with saline and capsaicin using one of two devices, Pari Boy^® and Maxin MA3^®. Eight patients also underwent two additional capsaicin provocations with Maxin MA3^®. A new series of capsaicin concentrations was chosen for Maxin MA3^®. The results from each device were analysed, the agreement between the two devices and the repeatability of the Maxin MA3^® were evaluated.

Among all participants, the mean number of coughs with the Pari Boy^® was 5.5 (95% CI: 2.7; 8.2) after inhalation of 0.4μmol/L capsaicin and 20.0 (95% CI: 14.1; 25.9) after 2.0μmol/L. With the Maxin MA3^®, the mean number of coughs was 3.6 (95% CI: 1.3; 4.0) after 0.06μmol/L capsaicin, and 17.8 (95% CI: 12.0; 23.6) after 0.3μmol/L. The Maxin MA3^® showed good repeatability and the agreement between the devices with the capsaicin concentrations chosen for each device was considered to be good.