CHEST Guidelines-Cough in the Athlete

Cough in the Athlete

Pdf Summary

The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) performed a systematic review to assess common causes and management of cough in athletes using evidence-based methods. The main causes of cough in this population include asthma, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), respiratory tract infections (RTI), upper airway cough syndrome (UACS), and environmental factors. Assessment of cough in athletes often involves bronchoprovocation tests and allergy evaluations, specifically targeting commonly exposed allergens and environmental pollutants. While gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is prevalent among athletes, no specific studies addressed its relation to cough in this group.<br /><br />Regarding treatment, the evidence is weak, and current recommendations are based on guidelines for the general population while considering specific sports environments and anti-doping regulations. Treatments often address the root causes, such as asthma, EIB, or infections. <br /><br />Key recommendations include evaluating cough based on common causes, conducting pulmonary function tests where appropriate, and considering environmental conditions related to the sport. Anti-doping regulations and medication side effects are important factors during treatment planning.<br /><br />Research gaps include evaluating the prevalence of cough causes specific to athletes, underlying mechanisms of exercise-induced cough, optimal assessment and treatment strategies, and the role of GERD in this context. More controlled trials are urged to evaluate effective cough treatments, especially focusing on specific sports or environments like cold-air-induced cough.<br /><br />Conclusively, CHEST suggests that until more targeted studies are available, existing guidelines for the general population should be adapted for athletes' specific contexts, considering the demands of their sport and relevant anti-doping regulations.

Keywords

athletes

cough

asthma

exercise-induced bronchoconstriction

respiratory tract infections

upper airway cough syndrome

environmental factors

anti-doping regulations

gastroesophageal reflux disease

pulmonary function tests