Asia Pac Allergy.  2015 Jul;5(3):136-144. 10.5415/apallergy.2015.5.3.136.

Chronic cough: an Asian perspective. Part 1: Epidemiology

• Song WJ
• Faruqi S
• Klaewsongkram J
• Lee SE
• Chang YS

• KMID: 2397043
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5415/apallergy.2015.5.3.136

Abstract

Asia is one of the most diverse and dynamic continents. Due to recent rapid industrialisation and urbanisation, morbidity patterns are likely to be diverse in Asian populations. Chronic cough is a disease condition resulting from host-environmental interactions, and is associated with a high global epidemiological burden. However, the underlying epidemiology remains unclear, particularly in Asia. We performed a literature search to identify peer-reviewed articles on chronic cough in community-based adult Asian populations that have been published between January 2000 and June 2015. In this review, we aim to examine the epidemiological characteristics and determinants of chronic cough in several geographical areas of Asia.

Keyword

Cough; Epidemiology; Risk Factors; Asia

MeSH Terms

Adult
Asia
Asian Continental Ancestry Group*
Cough*
Epidemiology*
Humans
Risk Factors

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Schematic representation of epidemiological determinants of chronic cough in Asia based on findings from general adult population surveys. Exposure to environmental pollutants and irritants is a risk factor for acute and chronic cough, which may be particularly important in rapidly developing countries. Infection, such as pulmonary tuberculosis or paragonimiasis, is a frequent cause of chronic cough in some areas. Host factors, such as older age, female sex, allergy, or comorbidities, may also predispose individuals to chronic cough hypersensitivity. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor-induced cough is more frequent in Asian than in Caucasian populations. Dietary habits may also influence the incidence of chronic cough.

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