[Etiological diagnosis and specific treatment of chronic cough in 106 patients].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the etiological diagnosis and efficacy of specific therapy of chronic cough.


METHODS
Totally 106 patients with chronic cough were diagnosed using a diagnostic protocol based on the Guideline on Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Cough established by China Medical Association, which included history inquiry, physical examination, pulmonary function tests, X-ray or CT of paranasal sinuses or chest, 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring, and sputum cell differentials. The etiological diagnosis was made according to clinical manifestations, examination results, and response to specific therapy.


RESULTS
The cause of chronic cough was confirmed in 101 patients (95.3%). Cough due to a single cause was found in 81 patients (80.2%), and due to multiple causes in 20 patients (19.8%). The causes included cough variant asthma (CVA) in 66 patients (62.3%), postnasal drip syndrome (PNDs) in 15 patients (14.1%), gastroesophageal reflux (GERC) in 11 patients (10.4%), post-infection cough (PIC) in 4 patients (3.8%), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) induction in 3 patients (2.8%), and eosinophilic bronchitis (EB) in 2 patients (1.9%). Five patients (4.7%) had not been definitely diagnosed. After specific therapy based on diagnosis, cough disappeared in 92 patients (91.1%) and alleviated in 9 patients (8.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
CVA, PNDs, and GERC are the most common causes of chronic cough. Specific therapy based on definite cause can result in good outcome.
Wang
Zhi-hong
ZH
Department of Respiratory, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China. wzh_only@163.com
Lin
Jiang-tao
JT
Li
Yong
Y
Gao
Jie
J
Zhu
Jia-jia
JJ
D002908:Chronic Disease; D003371:Cough / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome