One hundred coughs: family practice case series
1Dr William H. Newhook Memorial Health Centre, Whitbourne, NL A0B 3K0. gworrall@mun.ca
Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien
|February 15, 2008
Summary
Most acute coughs are self-limiting viral infections. Patients often need reassurance, not medication. When medication is needed, asthma management is more beneficial than antibiotics for cough relief.
Area of Science:
- Family Medicine
- Respiratory Medicine
- Clinical Diagnosis
Background:
- Acute cough is a common primary care presentation.
- Understanding the etiology and effective management of acute cough is crucial for family physicians.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, treatment strategies, and outcomes of acute cough in a family practice setting.
Main Methods:
- A case series design was employed, involving 100 consecutive patients presenting with acute cough.
- Data collected included diagnosis, management decisions, and follow-up visits.
Main Results:
- Viral respiratory tract infections were the most common cause (73%), followed by asthma (15%).
- The majority of patients (81%) did not require prescription medication; only 6 were prescribed antibiotics.
- Asthma medication adjustments benefited more patients (13) than antibiotics.
Conclusions:
- Acute cough in primary care is frequently self-limiting, often requiring only reassurance.
- For patients needing medication, optimizing asthma management is twice as effective as antibiotic use.
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