CHEST Guidelines-Overview-of-the-Management-of-Cough

Overview-of-the-Management-of-Cough_chest

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The document is an overview of the "Management of Cough" guidelines developed by the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) Expert Panel. Cough is highlighted as a prevalent and potentially costly health issue that requires improved management and quality of care. The guidelines aim to synthesize current knowledge and support clinical decision-making across various medical disciplines. The report acknowledges the existence of gaps in current knowledge and treatment options.<br /><br />The guideline update, first published in 1998 and revised in 2006, reflects advancements in evidence-based methodologies. The new update offers a comprehensive approach, covering topics from the neurophysiology of coughing to the categorization of cough and its various clinical implications. It also emphasizes "intervention fidelity," ensuring that treatments are delivered as intended to improve outcomes.<br /><br />Several countries, such as the United States, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Japan, South Africa, and Spain, have developed their cough guidelines. This widespread focus is largely due to the high prevalence of cough as a primary reason patients seek medical care, as well as the economic burden of treatment. In the U.S. alone, significant spending on over-the-counter cough and cold remedies illustrates the symptom's impact.<br /><br />The guideline's development involved an international and interprofessional collaboration among 53 experts from multiple fields, including pulmonology, family medicine, allergy, neurology, speech pathology, gastroenterology, and more. The guidelines are part of CHEST’s "living guidelines" model, updated annually to reflect the latest evidence and interventions. By integrating diverse professional insights and rigorous methodology, the publication seeks to remain contemporarily relevant and clinically beneficial.

Keywords

cough management

CHEST guidelines

clinical decision-making

evidence-based

intervention fidelity

international collaboration

healthcare costs

living guidelines

neurophysiology

treatment gaps