The prevalence of chronic cough is estimated to be up to 33% depending on the definition used, the diagnostic methodology employed, and the region studied.[8]Meltzer EO, Zeiger RS, Dicpinigaitis P, et al. Prevalence and burden of chronic cough in the United States. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021 Nov;9(11):4037-44.e2.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34333189?tool=bestpractice.com
[9]Liang H, Ye W, Wang Z, et al. Prevalence of chronic cough in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pulm Med. 2022 Feb 12;22(1):62.
https://bmcpulmmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12890-022-01847-w
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35151307?tool=bestpractice.com
[10]Chung KF, Pavord ID. Prevalence, pathogenesis, and causes of chronic cough. Lancet 2008 Apr 19;371(9621):1364-74.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18424325?tool=bestpractice.com
[11]Song WJ, Chang YS, Faruqi S, et al. The global epidemiology of chronic cough in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Respir J. 2015 May;45(5):1479-81.
https://publications.ersnet.org/content/erj/45/5/1479
[12]Walz L, Illergård K, Arpegård J, et al. Characteristics, demographics, and epidemiology of possible chronic cough in Sweden: a nationwide register-based cohort study. PLoS One. 2024;19(7):e0303804.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11268580
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39047005?tool=bestpractice.com
[13]Chodick G, Barer Y, Blay Hagai T, et al. Epidemiology and healthcare service utilization among adults with chronic cough. J Clin Med. 2024 May 30;13(11):3230.
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/11/3230
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38892940?tool=bestpractice.com
[14]Abozid H, Patel J, Burney P, et al. Prevalence of chronic cough, its risk factors and population attributable risk in the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study: a multinational cross-sectional study. EClinicalMedicine. 2024 Feb;68:102423.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(24)00002-6/fulltext
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38268532?tool=bestpractice.com
[15]Domínguez-Ortega J, Plaza V, Li VW, et al. Prevalence of chronic cough and patient characteristics in adults in Spain: a population-based cross-sectional survey. Chron Respir Dis. 2022 Jan-Dec;19:14799731221098722.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/14799731221098722
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35620851?tool=bestpractice.com
Within a population of patients with chronic cough, it is estimated that approximately 10% to 70% of cases are associated with upper airway abnormalities that fulfil the criteria for upper airway cough syndrome (UACS).[16]Morice AH. Post-nasal drip syndrome - a symptom to be sniffed at? Pulm Pharmacol Ther. 2004;17(6):343-5.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15564073?tool=bestpractice.com
[17]Mello CJ, Irwin RS, Curley FJ. Predictive values of the character, timing, and complications of chronic cough in diagnosing its cause. Arch Intern Med. 1996 May 13;156(9):997-1003.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8624180?tool=bestpractice.com
[18]Irwin RS, Corrao WM, Pratter MR. Chronic persistent cough in the adult: the spectrum and frequency of causes and successful outcome of specific therapy. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1981 Apr;123(4 Pt 1):413-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7224353?tool=bestpractice.com
Many studies report that UACS is the most common cause of chronic cough, but estimates of prevalence differ between studies.[10]Chung KF, Pavord ID. Prevalence, pathogenesis, and causes of chronic cough. Lancet 2008 Apr 19;371(9621):1364-74.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18424325?tool=bestpractice.com
[19]Irwin RS, French CL, Chang AB, et al. Classification of cough as a symptom in adults and management algorithms: CHEST guideline and expert panel report. Chest. 2018 Jan;153(1):196-209.
https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(17)32918-5/fulltext
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29080708?tool=bestpractice.com
This variance may be due to a true global variation, or may relate to differing global definitions, different levels of awareness of the symptom by different populations, and a lack of standardized or objective methodology for defining the condition.[2]Macedo P, Saleh H, Torrego A, et al. Postnasal drip and chronic cough: an open interventional study. Respir Med. 2009 Nov;103(11):1700-5.
http://www.resmedjournal.com/article/S0954-6111(09)00153-X/fulltext
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19481918?tool=bestpractice.com