Canadian health care professionals’ familiarity with chronic cough, its impact on patients, and guideline recommendations of the diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough

Abstract

<b>Introduction:</b> Nomenclature to describe patients with chronic cough has evolved over the years, and guidelines now include terms such as refractory chronic cough (RCC), unexplained chronic cough (UCC), and cough hypersensitivity syndrome (CHS). <b>Objective:</b> To investigate if terminology used by physicians is aligned with current guidelines, and to understand the perceived disease burden and the need for medical education. <b>Methods:</b> Canadian-wide survey of 101 primary care physicians (PCP) and 78 specialists (25 allergists, 28 pulmonologists, and 25 ENTs). <b>Results:</b> Terms like RCC, UCC, and CHS respectively were never or rarely used by PCP (36%, 34% and 50%) or specialists (32%, 34% and 42%). 67% and 69% of specialists agree that RCC and UCC represent a distinct disease; however, 53% and 48% are never or rarely considered their own disease by PCP. Specialists, compared to PCP, perceive chronic cough to have a higher impact on patients’ quality of life (65% versus 54% rated ≥8/10). Both PCP and specialists agree CC greatly impacted (rating ≥8-10) sleep (65% and 59%) and social life (44% and 58%). There is little familiarity with the CHEST and ERS guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough with 8% and 3% of PCP rating their level of familiarity as ≥8/10 respectively while specialists rated higher with 44% and 27%. There are a lot of PCP (93%) and specialists (91%) that have interest in receiving training in the management of CC. <b>Conclusion:</b> This data highlights the need for greater medical education on chronic cough and awareness or development of chronic cough guidelines in Canada.