[Etiological diagnosis of chronic cough with unknown causes].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the spectrum and frequency of causes for chronic cough in Chinese patients.


METHODS
86 patients with chronic cough were enrolled in the study. The diagnostic procedure was based on the anatomical protocol for diagnosing chronic cough designed by Irwin, and additional cytological assay was performed for sputum induced by hypertonic saline aerosol inhalation. The efficacy of therapy specific to the diagnosis was evaluated.


RESULTS
Definite diagnosis was made in 77 (89.5%) out of the 86 patients with chronic cough. The most common causes included cough variant asthma (CVA) (24/86, 27.9%), postnasal drip syndrome (PNDs) (22/86, 25.6%), eosinophilic bronchitis (EB) (13/86, 15.1%), and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) (12/86, 14.0%). After active management based on the diagnosis, cough improved in 72 patients (93.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to CVA, PNDs and GER, eosinophilic bronchitis is also an important cause of chronic cough. A positive response to the specific therapy is essential to a definite diagnosis.
Ma
Hong-ming
HM
Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510120, China.
Zhu
Li-xing
LX
Lai
Ke-fang
KF
Zhu
Tong
T
Sun
Bao-qing
BQ
Ouyang
Ming
M
Zhong
Nan-shan
NS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000150:complications; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003371:Cough / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged