Overview
Chronic refractory cough persists despite initial treatment and lasts for more than 8 weeks, significantly impacting quality of life 1.Diagnosis
Clinical Evaluation: Detailed history and physical examination to rule out underlying causes 1.
Multidisciplinary Assessment: Evaluation in a multidisciplinary setting can enhance adherence to therapy 1.
Diagnostic Tests: No specific diagnostic tests highlighted; focus on excluding other respiratory conditions 1.Management
Speech Therapy: Referral to speech therapy is common, with completion rates varying; multidisciplinary initial evaluation increases adherence 1.
Initial Evaluation Timing: Same-day multidisciplinary clinic evaluation is associated with higher therapy completion rates 1.Special Populations
Gender Differences: Male patients show higher likelihood of completing therapy compared to females, though data is preliminary 1.Key Recommendations
Refer patients with chronic refractory cough to speech therapy, with preference for same-day multidisciplinary clinic evaluations to improve adherence rates (Evidence: Moderate) 1.
Consider gender differences in therapy adherence when planning treatment strategies (Evidence: Weak) 1.
Regular multidisciplinary assessments can enhance patient engagement and outcomes in chronic refractory cough management (Evidence: Expert opinion) 1.References
1 Schuman AD, Buell JB, Varghese V, Brungardt ME, Blumhardt SL, Ongkasuwan J et al.. A Comparison of Therapy Adherence for Vocal Fold Atrophy and Chronic Cough. The Laryngoscope 2025. link