Thoughts on one thousand chronic cough patients

Abstract

Cough is the most common complaint for which patients seek medical attention. Although most cases of acute cough, due to viral upper respiratory tract infection, are transient and self-limited, chronic cough often poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. A subgroup of patients suffering from chronic cough will elude a diagnosis despite appropriate evaluation, and will prove refractory to all therapeutic intervention. Having personally evaluated 1000 individuals presenting to a specialty cough center, the author shares insights regarding the demographic composition of this unique group of patients, as well as clinical observations and opinions on currently unmet needs requiring further research.