Cough Assessment in Chronic Respiratory Diseases (COASESS): Findings from a Prospective Multicenter Cross-Sectional
Tai Joon An1, Hyeon-Kyoung Koo2, Chin Kook Rhee3
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
|December 9, 2025
Summary
Chronic cough (CC) characteristics vary significantly across respiratory diseases like asthma and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), impacting quality of life. Disease-specific assessment is crucial for effective management of persistent cough.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Medicine
- Clinical Phenotyping
- Symptom Burden Assessment
Background:
- Chronic cough (CC) is a prevalent symptom in chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchiectasis (BE).
- The specific characteristics and impact of CC on patients' quality of life across these distinct conditions remain incompletely understood.
- Understanding these differences is vital for developing targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively characterize chronic cough (CC) in patients with various chronic respiratory diseases.
- To evaluate differences in cough intensity, frequency, quality of life, and hypersensitivity across asthma, IPF, COPD, and BE.
- To identify potential disease-specific patterns in cough presentation and triggers.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional study (COASESS) involving 266 patients with chronic respiratory diseases.
- Validated tools were used to assess cough intensity (NRS), frequency (CSS), quality of life (COAT, LCQ), and cough hypersensitivity (CHQ).
- Demographic data including age, sex, and smoking status were also collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in demographic profiles were observed: asthma patients were younger, more female, and non-smokers, while COPD and IPF patients were older, male, and ever-smokers.
- Asthma and IPF patients reported a greater symptom burden and poorer quality of life compared to COPD and BE patients, as indicated by COAT, LCQ, NRS, and CSS scores.
- While overall cough hypersensitivity scores (CHQ) were similar, asthma patients reported more frequent triggers like talking and post-nasal drip.
Conclusions:
- Distinct phenotypic characteristics of chronic cough exist across different chronic respiratory diseases.
- Asthma and IPF are associated with a higher symptom burden and greater impact on quality of life.
- Cough hypersensitivity and triggers may vary by underlying respiratory condition, underscoring the need for disease-specific management approaches.
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