The Clinical Analysis of Our Diagnostic and Therapeutic System Using Patient Checklists, Scoring Sheet and Standardized Treatment Regimen for Patients with Subacute/Chronic Cough

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate our diagnostic and therapeutic system using patient checklists, scoring sheet and standardized treatment regimen for the patients with subacute/chronic cough without abnormal chest X-ray findings.

Methods: Based on our clinical system, we had diagnosed and treated 120 patients with subacute/chronic cough without abnormal chest X-ray findings. We also examined 83 cases that were available for evaluation of therapeutic response at the time of second visit.

Results: The mean patient age was 48.4 years (range 21 to 74 years). Thirty-three of the patients were men, 50 were women. Forty-nine cases (59.0%) were diagnosed as "Allergic cough" (such as bronchial asthma, cough-variant asthma, or atopic cough). At the time of the second visit, 67 (80.7%) patients exhibited significant or moderate improvement of their symptoms (49 cases; significant improvement, 18 cases; moderate improvement).

Conclusion: Our clinical system may be useful for patients with subacute/chronic cough. Further clinical investigation is needed.