Chronic Cough in a 70-Year-Old Woman

A 70-year-old lifelong nonsmoking woman with a past medical history of hypertension was referred to the respiratory clinic for evaluation of chronic cough. She presented with a 5-month history of dry cough, night sweats, fatigue, and a 4.5-kg weight loss. Her cough tended to be worse while lying flat. She denied having shortness of breath, chest pain, wheeze, or hemoptysis. She was taking amlodipine for her blood pressure as well as omeprazole for indigestion. She denied having any reflux symptoms or heartburn. She worked as a receptionist for an optician. She did not have any pets at home and had no family history of asthma or allergic conditions. She had not been abroad recently.