Chronic tic cough in adults: a case report

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Neurology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Chronic cough in adults often stems from respiratory (e.g., cough variant asthma), ENT (e.g., postnasal drip), or digestive (e.g., GERD) disorders.
• Anaphylaxis and allergy are also common etiologies for persistent cough.
• Diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough typically focus on these somatic causes.

Observation:

• Tic cough is an infrequent but important diagnosis in adults with chronic cough.
• Consideration for tic cough is warranted when standard treatments fail and other somatic causes are excluded.
• A history of tic disorder or current tic symptoms increases suspicion for tic cough.

Findings:

• Tic cough requires a different diagnostic and management approach than typical chronic cough.
• Exclusion of common somatic causes is a prerequisite for considering tic cough.
• The presence of tic symptoms is a key indicator.

Implications:

• A multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) approach is optimal for managing tic cough.
• Inclusion of psychiatrists in the MDT is crucial for addressing the neurological and psychological aspects of tic cough.
• This approach ensures comprehensive care for patients with complex chronic cough presentations.