title: [Chronic cough: practical aspects].
abstract: A cough is defined as chronic, if it exceeds 8 weeks in length. Post-nasal drip (PND), bronchial asthma and gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD) must be systematically investigated, as these account for 90 percent of chronic cough cases. In addition to medical history and examination which should exclude either a postinfectious cough or coughing related to ACE inhibitor medication, a new evaluation model suggests chest X ray and spirometry as the initial step. A chronic cough is rarely due to one cause as in at least 25% of cases 2 etiologies are present. An effective treatment of chronic cough often relies on several medication trials until its disappearance. After a multidisciplinary approach to chronic cough using this investigative model, the diagnosis of idiopathic or psychogenic cough should remain exceptional.
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie, CHUV, 10 11 Lausanne. favre.laurent@chuv.ch
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Favre
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dreher
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leuenberger
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003371:Cough / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications