Chronic cough year in review: New research on treatments, prevalence and more

The Healio Editors compiled the most-read chronic cough news published in 2021.

Highlights from the previous year include new data on the long-term efficacy of gefapixant for chronic cough; the impact of lidocaine throat spray on reducing cough frequency in refractory chronic cough; and more.

Read these articles, and others, below, in no particular order.

Gefapixant shows long-term efficacy for treatment of chronic cough

A pooled analysis of the COUGH-1 and COUGH-2 trials demonstrated long-term efficacy of twice-daily gefapixant (Merck) out to 52 weeks in patients with refractory or unexplained chronic cough, according to data presented at the CHEST Annual Meeting. Read more

Study does not support low-dose azithromycin to treat chronic cough in IPF

Treatment with low-dose azithromycin for chronic cough in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis did not significantly improve cough-related quality of life, severity or frequency compared with placebo. Read more

Lidocaine throat spray reduces cough frequency in patients with refractory chronic cough

Lidocaine, delivered as a throat spray to the pharynx, reduced cough frequency in adults with refractory chronic cough, according to data published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. Read more

Cough features, concomitant symptoms, history useful to determine causes of chronic cough

Cough timing, concomitant symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux or rhinitis/sinusitis and medical history are useful clinical characteristics that can aid in the prediction of causes of chronic cough, researchers reported. Read more

Gefapixant reduces chronic cough frequency in large pooled analysis

Gefapixant 45 mg twice daily resulted in clinically important reductions in cough frequency compared with placebo in patients with refractory or unexplained chronic cough. Read more

Chronic cough common, especially in older adults

Chronic cough is common among adults living in Austria and is highly prevalent among older individuals, researchers reported in Respiratory Medicine. Read more

Cause of chronic cough unknown in 37% of primary care patients

The cause of chronic cough remained unexplained in more than one-third of patients 3.5 years after they first presented to a primary care physician for the condition, according to data presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology annual meeting. Read more