Chronic Cough In America: Characteristics Of Chronic Cough Patients With Allergies

Characteristics of chronic cough (CC) patients with allergies are poorly understood. A CC questionnaire module was administered to National Health and Wellness Survey panel recipients who reported coughing for >8 weeks. This module included questions regarding cough duration, severity, healthcare utilization, work productivity, and cough specific patient reported outcomes. Responders with CC and allergies (CCwa) were compared to those with CC without allergies (CCw/oa). Comparisons that achieved statistical significance (P<0.05) are noted. Of the 296 responders with CC, 173 (58.4%) had allergies. CCwa were more likely to be female (78.6% vs. CCw/oa 64.2%) and younger (58.5 vs. 62.4 years). There was no significant difference in duration of CC (7.3 vs 7.7 years), cough severity over the past two weeks on worst day (6.0 vs. 5.8/10) or in general (5.0 vs. 4.8/10). Half of CCwa patients indicated cough was more severe at a certain time of year (52.3%), most often spring (41.1%) and winter (39.3%). Scores were similar on the Leicester Cough Questionnaire and Cough Quality of Life Questionnaire between CCwa and CCw/oa. CCwa were more likely to report work productivity impairments (37.6% vs. 20.6%). While both groups were likely to visit an HCP in the prior 6 months (94.2% vs 86.6%; NS), CCwa utilized more healthcare resources (8.0 vs. 5.3 visits) due in part to an increased number of allergist visits (0.19 vs. 0.02). CCwa and CCw/oa differed in several aspects, notably work productivity impairments and healthcare utilization. Additional research is needed to better understand the underlying etiologies of CC.