Table 1.

Clinical Profile Championed in the 2006 ACCP Cough Guideline to Predict That Chronic Cough Was Likely Due to GER Even Without Concomitant GI Symptoms

Chronic cough greater than 8 wk duration

Not exposed to environmental irritants nor a present smoker

Not taking an ACE inhibitor

Chest radiograph is normal or shows nothing more than stable inconsequential scarring

Symptomatic asthma has been ruled out: cough has not improved with asthma therapy or methacholine inhalation challenge is negative

UACS due to rhinosinus diseases has been ruled out: first-generation H1-antagonist has been used and cough failed to improve, and “silent” sinusitis has been ruled out

Nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis has been ruled out: properly performed induced sputum analysis studies are negative, or cough has not improved with inhaled/systemic corticosteroids

ACE = angiotensin-converting enzyme; GER = gastroesophageal reflux; UACS = upper airway cough syndrome.