Cough presentation and cough-related healthcare utilization in tertiary care: analysis of routinely collected academic institutional database

Abstract

Background: Most knowledge on cough epidemiology was obtained from questionnaire surveys of general populations or small focused studies of patients visiting specialist clinics. Routinely collected data (RCD) from electronic health records (EHR) are useful sources for studying disease epidemiology, but their use was limited in chronic cough. The present study aimed to investigate cough presentation and cough-related healthcare utilization, using the RCD of patients referred with cough.Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study utilizing an academic institutional EHR database. Cough cases were identified using the text search for the chief complaint indicating “cough” in the structured case report form. Using the information, we constructed a retrospective cohort of patients with subacute or chronic cough. Baseline demographics, medical history, concomitant symptoms, and diagnostic tests were analyzed. Healthcare utilization during 1 year since the baseline visit was assessed for drug prescriptions, additional diagnostic tests, outpatient visits, and hospitalization.Results: Among a total of 28,312 new referrals, cough was the chief complaint in 13,223 cases (46.7%). Based on the selection criteria, 3,810 subacute and 7,150 chronic cough patients were finally included. A common demographic profile was middle-aged woman (mean age 52.1 years, and female 63%). Patients had a median three accompanying symptoms (interquartile range: 2–5). Abnormal throat sensation (globus, tickling, or dryness) was the most common (about 70%), but symptoms suggesting nasal diseases, asthma, or acid reflux were also frequent. During the first year, both of subacute and chronic cough patients required multiple drug prescriptions, diagnostic tests, and outpatient visits, but the degree of utilization was higher in patients with chronic cough. Codeine-containing drugs were given to 21.5% of patients with chronic cough, and oral antibiotics to 23.7% and oral steroids to 9.9%.Conclusions: Cough is a common chief complaint among new referrals to tertiary specialist clinics. Cough is accompanied by multiple symptoms and is associated with healthcare utilization, particularly more in patients with chronic cough. Further studies are needed to understand their long-term health outcomes and reduce the disease burden.