A prospective, multicenter survey on causes of chronic cough in China

Abstract

Background: The causes of chronic cough in China and its relations with geography, seasonality, age, and sex are largely uncertain.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter survey was conducted to evaluate patients with chronic cough across five regions in China by using a modified diagnostic algorithm. The effects of geography, seasonality, age, and sex on spectrum of chronic cough were also investigated.

Results: The current study evaluated 704 adult patients, including 315 men (44.7%) and 389 women (55.3%). The causes of chronic cough were determined in 640 subjects (90.9%). Common causes included cough variant asthma (CVA) (32.6%), upper airway cough syndrome (UACS) (18.6%), eosinophilic bronchitis (EB) (17.2%), and atopic cough (AC) (13.2%). Collectively, these four causes accounted for 75.2% to 87.6% across five different regions without significant difference (P > .05), although there was variation on single causes. Gastroesophageal reflux-related cough was identified in 4.6% of causes. Seasonality, sex, and age were not associated with the spectrum of chronic cough (all P > .05).

Conclusion: CVA, UACS, EB, and AC were common causes of chronic cough in China. Geography, seasonality, age, and sex were not associated with the spectrum of chronic cough.