Patient-reported experiences with refractory or unexplained chronic cough: a qualitative analysis

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Patient-Reported Outcomes
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Chronic cough, lasting 8+ weeks, affects up to 10% of adults.
• Refractory chronic cough (RCC) and unexplained chronic cough (UCC) are often poorly controlled despite medical evaluation.
• Understanding patient experiences is key to improving management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess patient perceptions of RCC and UCC symptoms.
• To evaluate the impact of RCC and UCC on quality of life, productivity, and social interactions.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 30 adults with diagnosed RCC or UCC.
• In-depth telephone interviews using semi-structured guides.
• Systematic analysis of transcribed interviews to identify themes.

Main Results:

• Half of participants experienced daily coughing episodes; only 40% reported symptom improvement with medication.
• RCC and UCC negatively impacted communication, caused emotional distress, and reduced quality of life for over 50% of participants.
• Perceived treatment benefits varied widely among individuals.

Conclusions:

• RCC and UCC present significant challenges, with diverse symptoms and triggers affecting daily activities and emotional well-being.
• Patient-centered insights into lived experiences are vital for advancing therapeutic approaches to RCC and UCC.