[Chronic cough - diagnostic aspects].
BACKGROUND
Cough is an important and frequent complaint reported by patients and may be due to a variety of reasons. A proper diagnostic management should include pneumologists, gastroenterologists and ENT physicians working together. An in-depth knowledge about pathomechanisms, possible triggers and diseases associated with cough is essential.


METHODS
German, British and US-American guidelines are reviewed.


RESULTS
Chronic cough defined as one lasting at least more than 8 weeks, is often associated with asthma, GERD, bronchitis or upper airway diseases. However, many other conditions may evoke chronic cough.


CONCLUSIONS
A detailed history will often suggest a likely association or trigger. Chest radiography and spirography should be undertaken in all patients with chronic cough, other examinations like bronchoscopy and high resolution CT of the thorax are mandatory if the history is suggesting an etiology not detectable by those procedures mentioned first. In all patients it has to be kept in mind that chronic cough may not be due to a single reason but two or more acting together. In many cases the underlying etiology and hence the proper diagnosis can only be established ex juvantibus after a successful therapeutic management.
D000465:Algorithms; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D010348:Patient Care Team; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation
Chronischer und chronisch persistierender Husten - diagnostische Aspekte.