The Korean Cough Guideline: Recommendation and Summary Statement

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Cough is a prevalent symptom across numerous respiratory conditions.
• Effective diagnosis and treatment of cough are crucial for patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the Korean cough guideline developed by the Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases.
• To provide clinicians with a framework for accurate cough diagnosis and efficient treatment.

Main Methods:

• Development of a comprehensive cough guideline by a dedicated committee.
• Inclusion of diagnostic algorithms for acute, subacute, and chronic cough.
• Summarization of treatment recommendations and evidence levels.

Main Results:

• The guideline outlines diagnostic considerations for chronic cough, including upper airway cough syndrome (UACS), cough variant asthma (CVA), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Empirical treatments suggested include antihistamines/decongestants for UACS, inhaled corticosteroids for CVA, and proton pump inhibitors for GERD.
• A broad differential diagnosis for chronic cough is provided, encompassing conditions from lung cancer to idiopathic causes.

Conclusions:

• The guideline provides a structured approach to managing cough, particularly chronic cough.
• Treatment recommendations often rely on expert opinion due to low levels of evidence.
• Further research into cough treatment is essential to strengthen evidence-based practice.