Clinical Features of Somatic Cough Syndrome

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  • Masuda Sawako
    Department of Otorhinolaryngology, National Hospital Organization Mie National Hospital
  • Usui Satoko
    Department of Otorhinolaryngology, National Hospital Organization Mie National Hospital

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Other Title
  • 心因性咳嗽の臨床的検討
  • シンインセイ セキソウ ノ リンショウテキ ケントウ

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Abstract

<p>　Somatic cough syndrome (psychogenic cough) is one of the causes of persistent cough. The clinical features of 19 patients diagnosed as having somatic cough syndrome were examined by analysis of the data entered in their medical records.</p><p>　The subjects ranged in age from 4 to 50 years, and 18 patients were under 18 years old. Eight patients were male and 11 were female. Eight patients had visited more than one clinic or hospital prior to visiting our hospital. Two children had been hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute subglottic laryngitis. At our hospital, 14 patients had visited multiple departments, and 15 patients had been examined by otorhinolaryngologists. Five patients had comorbid bronchial asthma, and three had comorbid developmental disorders/retardation. The cough had lasted for more than 2 months in 12 patients. Seven patients had suffered from cough for more than 2 years, and the patient with the longest duration of cough had suffered from cough for 15 years. The type of cough was dry cough in 12 patients, barking cough in 6 patients, and the throat-clearing type in 4 patients. Some of the patients also had complaints of throat discomfort/pain, dyspnea, hyperventilation, and weakness of the lower limbs. Nighttime cough was recorded in 17 cases. There was no nighttime cough in 15 patients, however, the two patients with asthma had nighttime cough. A total of 14 patients had undergone laryngoscopic examination. While some patients coughed throughout the time they spent in the consultation room, 9 patients had no cough during their laryngoscopic examination. Some psychosocial problems at school and/or at home had been reported for 6 patients. After the correct diagnosis was made, 8 patients were referred to experts in psychology or psychiatry. Three patients were cured and three patients discontinued their visits on their own.</p><p>　The diagnosis of and intervention for somatic cough syndrome take time and effort. A multidimensional approach is important to treat patients with dry or barking cough, which are often persistent and resistant to commonly used medications.</p>

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