One hundred coughs: family practice case series.
OBJECTIVE
To record the presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcome of acute coughs presenting in family practice.


METHODS
A case series of consecutive patients with acute cough as their main symptom.


METHODS
Rural family practice clinic and walk-in centre.


METHODS
One hundred consecutive patients with cough, ages 1 to 90.


METHODS
Clinical diagnosis of the cause of the cough, management of cough, and whether patients returned for a second visit.


RESULTS
Seventy-three patients had viral respiratory tract infections; 15 had asthma; 6 had influenza; 4 had pneumonia; and 2 had croup. Eighty-one patients needed no prescription medication; 13 were prescribed steroids or bronchodilators for asthma; and 6 were prescribed antibiotics. No prescriptions for cough suppressants or decongestants were written. Only 7 patients returned to the clinic; 2 were prescribed antibiotics, and the others had no change in treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Most patients with cough require reassurance rather than medications, as their cough is self-limiting. Of the minority that requires medication, twice as many will benefit from adjustment of asthma medication as from antibiotics.
Worrall
Graham J
GJ
Dr William H. Newhook Memorial Health Centre, Whitbourne, NL A0B 3K0. gworrall@mun.ca
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003371:Cough / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011320:Primary Health Care
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents