New Insights Into Refractory Chronic Cough and Unexplained Chronic Cough: A 6-Year Ambispective Cohort Study
Mengru Zhang, Alyn H. Morice, Fengli Si, Li Zhang, Qiang Chen, Shengyuan Wang, Yiqing Zhu, Xianghuai Xu, Li Yu, Zhongmin Qiu
Abstract
PURPOSE: Only limited studies have depicted the unique features and management of refractory chronic cough (RCC) and unexplained chronic cough (UCC). These led to the initiation of this study, which reported the demographic characteristics, manifestations, and long-term outcomes on a large series of consecutive RCC/UCC patients, providing a guideline-led real-world clinical experience. METHODS: Retrospective baseline information was obtained from Clinical Research Database (January 2016 to May 2021). At least 6 months after the last clinic visit, included subjects were prospectively followed up. RESULTS: < 0.01) were less likely to be solved. CONCLUSIONS: The current treatments only improve cough symptoms in two-thirds of patients. Clinical indicators for treatment failure were those coughing for long duration and being sensitive to "talking" or "cold air."