Referrals, etiology, prevalence, symptoms, and treatments of chronic cough: A survey of allergy specialists

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2022 Dec;129(6):731-736. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2022.08.993. Epub 2022 Aug 27.

Abstract

Background: Chronic cough (CC) affects 11% of the US adult population, and these patients experience persistent symptoms despite adherence to recommended treatment protocols. Further research is needed to identify effective therapies to treat CC.

Objective: To describe the referral sources, etiology, prevalence, symptoms, and treatments for patients diagnosed with having CC who present to allergy specialists (AS).

Methods: An online survey was administered to 177 AS. The survey queried each AS experience with patients with CC, including the prevalence of CC, source of referrals for patients with CC, and perceived efficacy of treatments.

Results: A total of 103 (58%) AS reported that the patients with CC they treated were primarily of female sex (58.26%) and White (65.69%). Family physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and primary care internists were the most common source of referrals of patients with CC to AS. Furthermore, 20% of the respondents reported a complete resolution of the symptoms for more than 75% of their patients with CC. The top 4 "very common complaints" reported by the patients with CC were social embarrassment, loss of sleep, decreased quality of life, and sleep disruption. The top 4 most frequent treatments prescribed for CC were antireflux treatments, inhaled corticosteroids alone or in combination with long-acting β-agonist, short-acting bronchodilators, and first-generation antihistamines. None of the therapies were rated "very effective" in greater than 50% of the patients with CC.

Conclusion: The available treatments for CC do not effectively resolve the symptoms of this condition, and additional treatments need to be developed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cough* / drug therapy
  • Cough* / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity* / complications
  • Hypersensitivity* / epidemiology
  • Hypersensitivity* / therapy
  • Prevalence
  • Quality of Life
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Surveys and Questionnaires