RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The impact of chronic cough: A European perspective
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 5037
VO 42
IS Suppl 57
A1 Sarah Chamberlain
A1 Sarah Masefield
A1 Pippa Powell
A1 Abdel Douiri
A1 Rachel Garrod
A1 Alyn Morice
A1 Surinder Birring
YR 2013
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/5037.abstract
AB Background and Aims: In collaboration, the European Lung Foundation (ELF) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) chronic cough Taskforce launched a European-wide patient survey to explore the management and impact of chronic cough in Europe.Methods: An Internet based survey was launched in January 2012 on the ELF website and was available in 12 languages by October 2012. The survey was promoted via Google through a Google Ad word account, and was promoted by the ELF. Survey responses were collected between 05/01/2012 and 06/01/2013 and are reported as an interim analysis, with Chi-Square analysis to explore relationships between variables.Results: 1868 subjects responded; 1234 responses were excluded due to incomplete demographic data, non-European responses, age <18 years, or cough duration <2 months.634 (66% females) responses from 28 European countries were analysed. Mean age was 50 (SD:15) years, median cough duration ≥ 10 years, and 84% were non-smokers. Only 56% reported they had been given a diagnosis, despite 93% having seen a doctor in regards to their cough. Asthma was the most common diagnosis at 13%. 97% reported their quality of life was impaired and 95% reported a limitation in the activities they liked to do due to their cough; females compared to males reported a significantly greater limitation (p=0.004). 95% reported their cough worried or disturbed their family or friends and 93% felt fed-up or depressed at least sometimes, the latter was significantly greater in women (p=0.004).Conclusions: This European survey highlights many patients with chronic cough are undiagnosed, or unaware of their diagnosis, and the impact of chronic cough on daily life and mood is considerable.