Tools For Assessing Outcomes In Studies Of Chronic Cough

Publication Date: March 1, 2015
Last Updated: March 14, 2022

Recommendations

In adult and adolescent patients (≥14 years of age) complaining of chronic cough, we recommend that validated and reliable health-related quality of life (QoL) questionnaires be used as the measurement of choice to assess the impact of cough on patients. (1, B)
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In adults and adolescents with chronic cough, we recommend the Cough-Specific Quality-of-Life Questionnaire and Leicester Cough Questionnaire, since they are the most extensively studied and commonly used previously validated and reliable cough-specific health-related QoL questionnaires to assess the impact of cough. (1, B)
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In children ( <14 years of age) with chronic cough, we recommend that validated and reliable healthrelated QoL questionnaires be used as the measurement of choice to assess the impact of cough. (1, B)
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In children ( <14 years of age) with chronic cough, we recommend the Parent Cough-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire, the most extensively studied and commonly used previously validated and reliable health-related QoL questionnaire, as the measurement of choice to assess the impact of cough. (1, B)
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To standardize the development, utilization, and reporting of cough-specific QoL questionnaires, we suggest that cough counting alone not be used to estab lish validity of the questionnaires.
(consensus based)
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To standardize the development, use, and reporting of cough severity by visual analog scales (VASs) or numeric rating scales, we suggest that they be used in standard fashion.
(consensus based)
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To ensure the integrity of health-related QoL questionnaires and other patient-reported outcomes that have been shown to be valid and reliable, we suggest that a modified version should not be used and reported unless the modified version has been shown to be reliable and valid. (, )

(consensus based)

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In adult and adolescent patients with cough of any duration, we suggest that tussigenic challenges have a role in research settings to understand mechanisms of cough.
(consensus based)
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In patients of all ages, we recommend acoustic cough counting to assess cough frequency but not cough severity. (1, B)
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Recommendation Grading

Overview

Title

Tools For Assessing Outcomes In Studies Of Chronic Cough

Authoring Organization

American College of Chest Physicians

Publication Month/Year

March 1, 2015

Last Updated Month/Year

January 10, 2024

Document Type

Guideline

External Publication Status

Published

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

Since the publication of the 2006 American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) cough guidelines, a variety of tools has been developed or further refined for assessing cough. The purpose of the present committee was to evaluate instruments used by investigators performing clinical research on chronic cough. The specific aims were to (1) assess the performance of tools designed to measure cough frequency, severity, and impact in adults, adolescents, and children with chronic cough and (2) make recommendations or suggestions related to these findings.

Target Patient Population

Adults and child with cough

Inclusion Criteria

Female, Male, Adolescent, Adult, Child, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory, Hospital, Outpatient, School

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Assessment and screening, Management, Treatment

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D003371 - Cough, D063868 - Patient Outcome Assessment, D063189 - Symptom Assessment

Keywords

assessment, chronic cough

Supplemental Methodology Resources

Data Supplement

Methodology

Number of Source Documents
111
Literature Search Start Date
June 4, 2012
Literature Search End Date
November 1, 2013