CHEST Guidelines-Chronic-Cough-Due-to-Stable-Chronic-Bronchitis

Chronic-Cough-Due-to-Stable-Chronic-Bronchitis_202

Pdf Summary

The CHEST Expert Panel Report addresses chronic cough due to chronic bronchitis (CB) and updates the American College of Chest Physicians' 2006 guidelines. Chronic bronchitis, marked by a cough with sputum production for at least three months a year for two consecutive years, often results from exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke and environmental pollutants. The systematic review aimed to identify effective management strategies for chronic cough associated with CB.<br /><br />The review focused on three key questions: recognizing clinical features indicative of cough due to CB, evaluating if treatment can alleviate chronic cough, and determining if targeted therapy can prevent acute CB exacerbations. Studies targeting adult patients with chronic bronchitis were included.<br /><br />Key Findings:<br />1. Smoking and exposure to dust and pollutants are risk factors for chronic cough linked to chronic bronchitis. Thus, smoking cessation is critically advised.<br />2. There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend any specific pharmacologic (such as antibiotics, bronchodilators, mucolytics) or non-pharmacologic treatments (like positive expiratory pressure) for relieving chronic cough due to stable CB. These approaches are not suggested until proven safe and effective.<br />3. Chronic bronchitis patients often fall within the spectrum of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), suffering exacerbations that can impair life quality.<br /><br />The report highlights significant gaps in high-quality evidence for treating chronic cough due to CB. It underscores the need for more rigorous clinical trials with well-defined methodologies and calls for future research to explore viable treatments and the validation of existing therapies. Ultimately, while current treatments have shown some promise, their safety and efficacy in managing symptoms specific to chronic cough remain unproven, emphasizing the importance of personalized patient care and further investigation.

Keywords

chronic cough

chronic bronchitis

CHEST Expert Panel

American College of Chest Physicians

smoking cessation

environmental pollutants

pharmacologic treatments

non-pharmacologic treatments

COPD

clinical trials