A Cross-sectional Survey of the Clinical Manifestations and Underlying Illness of Cough

AIM: The aim of this study was to identify factors affecting the final diagnosis of cough. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study recruited 463 consecutive patients who visited five Japanese general hospitals due to cough from October 2006 to September 2007. Of these, 418 patients (90%) who completed a questionnaire designed to acquire data regarding clinical manifestations of cough were included. RESULTS: Most patients with bronchial asthma had cough with seasonal variation and wheezing. Patients with gastro esophageal reflux disease suffered from heartburn and cough without daily or seasonal variation. Cough associated with sinobronchial syndrome was only observed in females and was linked to increased sputum. Patients with whooping cough were bothered by cough interrupting sleep and talking. Patients with cardiogenic cough had exertional dyspnea. CONCLUSION: The specific items on our questionnaire relating to patient characteristics, complications, and triggers of cough, represent useful tools for diagnosing the primary disease producing cough.