Chronic cough in Germany: results from a general-population survey

Abstract

BackgroundChronic cough (CC) which is defined≥8 weeks is a common condition in clinical practice. However, estimates of prevalence and associated comorbidities in German adults and key subgroups of age and gender are lacking.MethodsCross-sectional study based on a representative panel of 15,020 adult subjects of the general population who completed the German National Health and Wellness Survey, reporting chronic cough and questions about comorbidities. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence are presented as unweighted estimates.ResultsThe lifetime CC prevalence was 6.5% (range across age groups, 5.1%–8.3%) and the 12-month prevalence was 4.9% (range 3.7–5.7%). The prevalence of diagnosed CC was 2.8% (range, 0.9–4.1%) and the prevalence of persons currently on any prescription to treat CC was 0.6% (range 0.2–1.4%). Respondents who experienced CC were 52.0±17.0 years old, with a higher prevalence in those aged 50 years and older. Persons with CC had higher morbidity scores and were diagnosed with an increased number of comorbidities, most frequently diagnoses of the respiratory system (71.0%), followed by digestive tract (34.0%) disorders and sleep disorders (37.6%).ConclusionsIn a broadly representative sample of German adults, lifetime and 12-month prevalence of CC was greatest in current and former smokers and those older≥50 years of age. Comorbidities are frequent and may complicate management of these patients.

Distribution of chronic cough phenotypes in the general population: A cross-sectional analysis of the LEAD cohort in Austria

“…The main findings of this study are: (1) the prevalence of chronic cough in a large (n = 10,057), adult general population cohort in Austria was 9%, with no sex differences but an increase with age; (2) 85% of participants with chronic cough had at least one condition associated with chronic cough, and (3) current (but not former) smoking, low socioeconomic status, obesity and obstructive sleep apnea were factors associated with chronic cough, with current smoking (over 20 pack years) being the greatest factor. Finally, 15% of participants with The prevalence of chronic cough in our study (9%) is consistent with previous studies, in which prevalence ranged between 4% and 13% [5,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. We did not find any impact of sex on chronic cough prevalence, in contrast with previous reports where there was a higher prevalence of chronic cough in females attending cough clinics [16,17], although our data agree with several population based studies in the UK [18],…”

Impact of high-risk of obstructive sleep apnea on chronic cough: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

“…In a study of young adults in Italy, socioeconomic status according to occupation had an effect on the prevalence of chronic cough [35]. In a German study, neither income nor education level affected the prevalence of chronic cough; however, as in our study, employment status was associated with chronic cough [32]. However, blue-collar occupation or high household income had no signi cant effect on chronic cough in another study [30].…”

“…Previous studies have shown that the prevalence of chronic cough is signi cantly increased in the elderly [29,[31][32][33]. In a study on the general Korean population, age over 65 years was also reported as one of the risk factors for chronic cough [30].…”

“…Several previous studies have also reported that current smoking is associated with chronic cough [29,32,[34][35][36]. Chronic bronchitis is the most common cause of coughing in smokers is known as chronic bronchitis [42].…”

Impact of high-risk of obstructive sleep apnea on chronic cough: data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

“…Previous studies have shown that the prevalence of chronic cough is significantly increased in the elderly [29,[31][32][33]. In a study on the general Korean population, age over 65 years was also reported as one of the risk factors for chronic cough [30].…”