Chronic Cough Due to Stable Chronic Bronchitis: CHEST Expert Panel Report
Publication Date
2020
Journal Title
Chest
Abstract
© 2020 American College of Chest Physicians Background: Chronic cough due to chronic bronchitis (CB) causes significant impairment in quality of life, and effective treatment strategies are needed. We conducted a systematic review on the management of chronic cough due to CB to update the recommendations and suggestions of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) 2006 guideline on this topic. Methods: This systematic review asked three questions: (1) What are the clinical features of the history that suggest a patient's cough-phlegm syndrome is due to CB? (2) Can treatment of stable CB improve or eliminate chronic cough? (3) Can therapy that targets chronic cough due to CB prevent or reduce the occurrence of acute CB exacerbations? Studies of adult patients with CB were included and assessed for relevance and quality. Based on the systematic review, guideline suggestions were developed and voted on by using the CHEST organization methodology. Results: The search strategy used an assortment of descriptors and assessments to identify studies of chronic cough due to CB. Conclusions: The evidence supporting the management of chronic cough due to CB is limited overall and of low quality. This article provides guidance on treatment by presenting suggestions based on the best currently available evidence and identifies gaps in our knowledge and areas for future research.
Volume Number
158
Issue Number
2
Pages
705 - 718
Document Type
Article
Status
Faculty
Facility
School of Medicine
Primary Department
Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine
Additional Departments
Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
PMID
DOI
10.1016/j.chest.2020.02.015