CHEST Guidelines-Occupational and Environmental Contributions to Chronic Cough in Adults

Occupational and Environmental Contributions to Chronic Cough in Adults

Pdf Summary

The "Occupational and Environmental Contributions to Chronic Cough in Adults" report by the CHEST Expert Cough Panel explores how workplace and environmental factors contribute to chronic cough in adults. This document highlights areas not previously covered in the 2006 ACCP Cough Guideline. The methodology involved comprehensive literature reviews through MEDLINE and TOXLINE, supported by expert panel insights, culminating in consensus-based recommendations.<br /><br />The report identifies key findings on how chronic cough can arise from allergy-related environmental causes, smoking involving tobacco and marijuana, non-allergic environmental triggers, laryngeal syndromes, and occupational diseases. It emphasizes that despite advancements in understanding cough triggers, regular assessment of these occupational and environmental factors in clinical practice remains inconsistent.<br /><br />Recommendations emphasize the necessity of integrating occupational and environmental queries into patient histories for cough diagnosis. The document suggests specific diagnostic tests if a cough’s origins are suspected to be environmental or occupational, including pulmonary function tests and immunologic assessments.<br /><br />The report stresses further research needs, particularly in devising diagnostic tests for occupational and environmental causes of chronic cough and evaluating the exact contributions of these factors within larger population studies. It concludes that understanding and documenting these causes can guide symptom management, control exposures, and prevent future incidences.<br /><br />This comprehensive evaluation aims to bridge the gap between recommended guidelines and clinical practice, highlighting the need for systematic assessment and management strategies tailored to environmental and occupational factors contributing to chronic cough in adults.

Keywords

chronic cough

occupational factors

environmental factors

CHEST Expert Cough Panel

diagnostic tests

allergy-related causes

laryngeal syndromes

pulmonary function tests

symptom management

preventive strategies