[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.