What is chronic cough?

For adult patients, chronic cough is a cough that lasts for >8 weeks and is estimated to impact ~5% of the US population.1,2,*

When cough persists >8 weeks, consider further evaluation.1

Cough as a medical problem can be evaluated by its duration, characteristics, severity, etiology, pathophysiology, or treatment response.3

Investigation of cough seeks to identify and treat underlying conditions.1

*Based on a cross-sectional study of 74,977 adults in the United States who completed a 2018 National Health and Wellness Survey, 4.9% of respondents self-reported experiencing chronic cough in the prior 12 months.2


Common underlying conditions

Chronic cough is often associated with asthma, GERD, UACS (postnasal drip), and/or NAEB.1,4

In some cases, cough persists even after underlying conditions have been treated, or an underlying condition cannot be identified.5

GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease; UACS, upper airway cough syndrome; NAEB, nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis.


If chronic cough persists, consider refractory or unexplained chronic cough

Refractory or unexplained chronic cough is a chronic cough that persists despite appropriate treatment of an underlying condition or for which no underlying condition has been identified despite a thorough clinical evaluation.1,5

In patients with refractory or unexplained chronic cough,
cough could be considered as a medical condition rather than a symptom.6

Explore potential mechanisms of chronic cough

Review common clinical characteristics of patients with chronic cough

Get chronic cough resources

References: 1. Irwin RS et al. Chest. 2018;153:196-209. 2. Meltzer EO et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021;9:4037-4044. 3. McGarvey L, Gibson PG. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2019;7:1711-1714. 4. Mazzone SB et al. Lancet Respir Med. 2018;6:636-646. 5. Gibson P et al. Chest. 2016;149:27-44. 6. Kardos P et al. Postgrad Med. 2021;133:481-488.