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(Chest. 2006;129:59S-62S.)
© 2006 American College of Chest Physicians

Overview of Common Causes of Chronic Cough

ACCP Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines

Melvin R. Pratter, MD, FCCP

Correspondence to: Melvin R. Pratter, MD, FCCP, Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine at Camden, Suite 312, 3 Cooper Plaza, Camden, NJ 08103; e-mail: Pratter-Melvin{at}cooperhealth.edu


   Abstract
TOP
 Abstract
Introduction
 Summary of Recommendations
 References
 
Objective: To review the literature on the most common causes of chronic cough.

Methods: MEDLINE was searched (through May 2004) for studies published in the English language since 1980 on human subjects using the medical subject heading terms "cough," "causes of cough," and "etiology of cough." Case series and prospective descriptive clinical trials were selected for review. Also obtained were any references from these studies that were pertinent to the topic

Results: Upper airway cough syndrome (UACS) due to a variety of rhinosinus conditions, previously referred to as postnasal drip syndrome, asthma, nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis (NAEB), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are the most common causes of chronic cough. Each of these diagnoses may be present alone or in combination and may be clinically silent apart from the cough itself.

Conclusion: In the absence of evidence for the presence of another disorder, an approach focused on detecting the presence of UACS, asthma, NAEB, or GERD, alone or in combination, is likely to have a far higher yield than routinely searching for relatively uncommon or obscure diagnoses.

Key Words: asthma • chronic cough • gastroesophageal reflux • nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis • postnasal drip syndrome • upper airway cough syndrome


   Introduction
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 Abstract
 Introduction
Summary of Recommendations
 References
 
During the past 25 years, the foundation for clinical research into the question of what are the most common causes of chronic cough has been based on a hypothesis set forth in a comprehensive review article published in 1977.1 In that publication, it was postulated that because there were a relatively small number of known anatomic locations for afferent cough receptors and nerves that it logically followed that there were a definable number of diseases or conditions that could stimulate these sites and result in chronic or persistent cough. The subsequent findings from various descriptive studies in the literature that have looked at populations of patients seeking medical attention for a primary complaint of cough have in fact corroborated this spectrum of conditions as initially postulated. This body of literature has also defined the relative frequency with which these etiologies of cough occur, the typical manifestations, the value of various diagnostic tests, and the likely responses to treatment. A summary of the main studies is presented in Table 1 . Supplementing these studies have been reports that have focused on the specific mechanisms, manifestations, and response to treatment for each of the specific causes of cough delineated in the broader studies. In preparing this section, MEDLINE was searched (through May 2004) for studies published in the English language since 1980 on human subjects using the medical subject heading terms "cough," "causes of cough," and "etiology of cough." Case series and prospective descriptive clinical trials were selected for review. Also, any references from these studies that were pertinent to the topic were obtained.


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  		Table 1. Summary of Studies of Common Causes of Cough Reported in the Literature*

 
The composite picture has been remarkably consistent. In a relatively small subset of patients with chronic cough who were seeking medical attention,234 either current cigarette smoking or the use of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor have proven to be the cause of the cough. In the vast majority of the remaining patients, the following three dominant etiologies have emerged to explain the causes of chronic cough: upper airway cough syndrome (UACS) due to a variety of rhinosinus conditions, which was previously referred to as postnasal drip syndrome (PNDS); asthma; and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).23456 In four prospective studies26710 from the Western Hemisphere, this triad of diagnoses was so ubiquitous that in 92 to 100% of patients who were nonsmokers, and who were not using an ACE inhibitor, and who had normal chest roentgenogram findings, the presence of one, two, or even all three of these conditions proved to be the etiologic explanation for chronic cough. Even in areas where tuberculosis is endemic, and was an important consideration as a cause of chronic cough, UACS, asthma, nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis (NAEB), and GERD are still the most common causes seen.

It is important to recognize, as will be discussed under each individual section, that each of these entities may present only as cough with no other associated clinical findings (ie, "silent PNDS" [now termed UACS], "cough variant asthma," and "silent GERD").489 It is also important to note that the medical history is of little value as regards the patient’s description of his or her cough in terms of its character or timing, or the presence or absence of sputum production. None of these characteristics is of diagnostic value.610 Even in the presence of significant bronchorrhea, a nonsmoking patient who is not receiving an ACE inhibitor and who has a normal chest roentgenogram finding will usually turn out to be coughing due to UACS, asthma, GERD, or some combination of these diagnoses.10 Nevertheless, the medical history is important in terms of whether the patient is taking an ACE inhibitor, is or has been a smoker, or lives or has been in a geographic area where tuberculosis or certain fungal diseases are endemic. In addition, the medical history is important as to whether there is any previous history of cancer, tuberculosis, or AIDS, or whether the patient has any systemic symptoms of fever, sweats, or weight loss.

It is still important to recognize, however, that there are a number of other conditions, although much less common on average, that still account for an important percentage of cases of chronic cough. For example, NAEB, which is a disorder that is characterized by cough, eosinophilic infiltration of the bronchial tree, normal spirometry findings, a lack of bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and a resolution of both cough and eosinophilia with steroid treatment,11121314 has been reported to have a prevalence as an etiology of chronic cough from as low as 13% to as high as 33% in a number of series from outside the United States.714192021 Oddly, a number of large studies2345 of chronic cough in the United States to date have been able to define the etiology in up to 100% of cases without reporting a single diagnosis of NAEB. Nevertheless, a diagnosis of NAEB should be considered early in the diagnostic evaluation in that its presence can be reliably determined by properly performed staining of induced sputum for eosinophils, and by the fact that it will predictably respond to (inhaled) corticosteroid therapy.

Whereas one series5 of patients with chronic cough (performed in the United States) described a significant number of patients with "postinfectious" cough, other series24567 were able to reach a high diagnostic yield without using this category. The implication is that most of the cases of postinfectious cough had as their pathophysiology persistent UACS, transient bronchial hyperresponsiveness, or prolonged airway inflammation that resolved as diagnostic/therapeutic studies were being pursued. A subset of "postinfectious cough," due to Bordetella pertussis, is another entity that has not been described at all in many series of patients151617 with chronic cough, but which may be etiologic in a localized cluster of patients with chronic cough as part of a localized epidemic. Or, it may be pathophysiologically involved in perpetuating chronic cough by provoking GER. Patients with bronchiectasis from a variety of causes, such as interstitial lung diseases, endobronchial abnormalities (eg, tumors, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, or retained sutures), isolated suppurative lower airway infection, congestive heart failure, thyroid disease, habitual or psychogenic cough, neuromuscular disorders, or a mediastinal mass, will occasionally present with chronic cough as the major manifestation.

In summary, the most common causes of chronic cough are UACS due to a variety of rhinosinus conditions, asthma, and GERD. Each of these diagnoses may be present alone or in combination and may be clinically silent apart from the cough itself. While there are a number of other conditions that can result in chronic cough, in the absence of evidence suggesting the presence of one of these other disorders, an approach strongly focused on initially detecting the presence of UACS, asthma, or GERD, alone or in combination, is likely to have a far higher yield than routinely searching for relatively uncommon or obscure diagnoses. The one exception to this is that NAEB may be more important than has often been recognized, is relatively easy to diagnose in laboratories set up to do the rigorous analysis and treatment, and therefore should also be considered early in the diagnostic evaluation.


   Summary of Recommendations
TOP
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Summary of Recommendations
References
 
1. In patients with chronic cough and a normal chest roentgenogram finding who are nonsmokers and are not receiving therapy with an ACE inhibitor, the diagnostic approach should focus on the detection and treatment of UACS (formerly called PNDS), asthma, NAEB, or GERD, alone or in combination. This approach is most likely to result in a high rate of success in achieving cough resolution. Level of evidence, low; benefit, substantial; grade of recommendation, B

2. In all patients with chronic cough, regardless of clinical signs or symptoms, because UACS (formerly called PNDS), asthma, and GERD each may present onlyas cough with no other associated clinical findings (ie, "silent PNDS," "cough variant asthma," and "silent GERD"), each of these diagnoses must be considered. Level of evidence, low; benefit, substantial; grade of recommendation, B

3. In patients with chronic cough, neither the patient’s description of his or her cough in terms of its character or timing, nor the presence or absence of sputum production, should be used to rule in or rule out a diagnosis or to determine the clinical approach. Level of evidence, low; benefit, substantial; grade of recommendation, B


   Footnotes
 
Abbreviations: ACE = angiotensin-converting enzyme; GERD = gastroesophageal reflux disease; NAEB = nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis; PNDS = postnasal drip syndrome; UACS = upper airway cough syndrome


   References
TOP
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Summary of Recommendations
 References
 

  1. Irwin, RS, Rosen, MJ, Braman, SS (1977) Cough: a comprehensive review. Arch Intern Med 137,1186-1191[Abstract]
  2. Irwin, RS, Corrao, WM, Pratter, MR Chronic persistent cough in the adult: the spectrum and frequency of causes and successful outcome of specific therapy. Am Rev Respir Dis 1981;123,413-417[ISI][Medline]
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  5. Poe, RH, Harder, RV, Israel, RH, et al Chronic persistent cough: experience in diagnosis and outcome using an anatomic diagnostic protocol. Chest 1989;95,723-728[Medline]
  6. Mello, CJ, Irwin, RS, Curley, FJ Predictive values of the character, timing, and complications of chronic cough in diagnosing its cause. Arch Intern Med 1996;156,997-1003[Abstract]
  7. Palombini, BC, Villanova, CA, Araujo, E, et al A pathogenic triad in chronic cough: asthma, postnasal drip syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Chest 1999;116,279-284
  8. Corrao, WM, Braman, SS, Irwin, RS Chronic cough as the sole presenting manifestation of bronchial asthma. N Engl J Med 1979;300,633-637[Abstract]
  9. Irwin, RS, Zawacki, JK, Curley, FJ, et al Chronic cough as the sole presenting manifestation of gastroesophageal reflux. Am Rev Respir Dis 1989;140,1294-1300[ISI][Medline]
  10. Smyrnios, NA, Irwin, RS, Curley, FJ Chronic cough with a history of excessive sputum production: the spectrum and frequency of causes, key components of the diagnostic evaluation, and outcome of specific therapy. Chest 1995;108,991-997[Medline]
  11. Gibson, PG, Dolovich, J, Denburg, J, et al Chronic cough: eosinophilic bronchitis without asthma. Lancet 1989;1,1346-1348[ISI][Medline]
  12. Gibson, PG, Hargreave, FE, Girgis-Gabardo, A, et al Chronic cough with eosinophilic bronchitis: examination for variable airflow obstruction and response to corticosteroid. Clin Exp Allergy 1995;25,127-132[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  13. Brightling, CE, Ward, R, Goh, KL, et al Eosinophilic bronchitis is an important cause of chronic cough. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1999;160,406-410[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  14. Ayik, SO, Basoglu, OK, Erdinc, M, et al Eosinophilic bronchitis as a cause of chronic cough. Respir Med 2003;97,695-701[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  15. Birkebaek, NH, Kristiansen, M, Seefeldt, T, et al Bordetella pertussis and chronic cough in adults. Clin Infect Dis 1999;29,1239-1242[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  16. Antico, A, Fabozzi, F, Scipiotti, C Pertussis in adults: a study in an Italian population with chronic cough. Monaldi Arch Chest Dis 2002;57,247-252[Medline]
  17. Hallander, HO, Gnarpe, J, Gnarpe, H, et al Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella parapertussis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae and persistent cough in children. Scand J Infect Dis 1999;31,281-286[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
  18. Poe, RH, Israel, RH, Utell, MJ, et al Chronic cough: bronchoscopy or pulmonary function testing? Am Rev Respir Dis 1982;126,160-162[ISI][Medline]
  19. Puolijoki, H, Lahdensuo, A Causes of prolonged cough in patients referred to a chest clinic. Ann Med 1989;21,425-427[ISI][Medline]
  20. McGarvey, LP, Heaney, LG, Lawson, JT, et al Evaluation and outcome of patients with chronic non-productive cough using a comprehensive diagnostic protocol. Thorax 1998;53,738-743[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  21. O’Connell, F, Thomas, VE, Pride, NB, et al Capsaicin cough sensitivity decreases with successful treatment of chronic cough. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 1994;150,374-380[Abstract]



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This Article
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