Nonpharmacological cough control therapy for chronic refractory cough and cough associated with underlying lung disease

Parker, Sean

Nonpharmacological cough control therapy for chronic refractory cough and cough associated with underlying lung disease

Authors

Parker, Sean

Issue Date

2020

Type

Article

Language

en

Keywords

chronic cough , lung disease

Abstract

Cough is a common and frequently debilitating symptom. A persistent cough unresponsive to empirical treatment (chronic refractory cough (CRC)) or unexplained may represent a distinct phenotype [1]. The pathophysiology of CRC is poorly understood. “Cough hypersensitivity syndrome” has recently been the dominant paradigm. Evidence suggests a complex interplay of aberrant vagal afferent pathways [2] and central factors including impaired cough suppression [3]. Cough is more usually associated with an underlying cause (explained cough) and may persist in patients with underlying lung disease even after optimising treatment of the condition. Cough reflex hypersensitivity may be a specific treatable trait in airway disease [4]. Cough is common in asthma; studies demonstrate a link between airway dysfunction and cough hypersensitivity [5]. There are similar findings in bronchiectasis [6] and COPD [7], although the underlying mechanisms may differ. Nonpharmacological cough control therapy (CCT) is effective for refractory chronic cough but there is a significant subgroup of nonresponders. CCT appears to be effective in cough associated with underlying disease such as asthma.

Citation

Mohammed, S., et al. (2020). 'Nonpharmacological cough control therapy for chronic refractory cough and cough associated with underlying lung disease'. ERJ open research, 6(1), 00243-2019. https://doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00243-2019

Journal

ERJ Open Research

ISSN

2312-0541

Collections

Respiratory

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