PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Many patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), especially fibrotic ILDs, experience chronic cough. Cough has a major impact on wellbeing, affecting both physical and psychological aspects of life. The pathophysiology of cough in ILDs is poorly understood and currently no good antitussive therapy exists. RECENT FINDINGS: Research on cough in ILDs is increasing. A recent proof-of-concept study with nebulized sodium cromoglycate for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)-related cough showed a promising effect on cough. Observational data suggest that antifibrotic pirfenidone might reduce cough in IPF. Studies on the effect of acid inhibition on cough in ILDs show contradicting results. SUMMARY: The first steps in analyzing new treatment options for chronic cough in patients with ILDs, especially in IPF, have been taken, but an effective treatment is still lacking.

, , , ,
doi.org/10.1097/SPC.0000000000000447, hdl.handle.net/1765/119214
VSNU Open Access deal
Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care
Department of Pulmonology

Van Manen, M., & Wijsenbeek-Lourens, M. (2019). Cough, an unresolved problem in interstitial lung diseases. Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care, 13(3), 143–151. doi:10.1097/SPC.0000000000000447