ABSTRACT
Objective To study the morbidity of cough variant asthma (CVA) among patients with chronic cough syndrome and its relative risk factors. Methods Patients were recruited with detailed history on their illness. Data were collected on physical examination, chest X-ray, eosinophil cell counts, pulmonary ventilation with histamine stimulating test and bronchi dilation test. According to available data, diagnosis of CVA was confirmed and the relative factors Questionnaire form was completed for each patient. Results Among 473 patients with chronic cough, 95 (44 male and 51 female) were confirmed to be CVA (20.08%). Analysis of the relative factors suggested that CVA was associated with multiple factors. Morbidity of CVA was associated with season, personal histories on allergy and family history on asthma, CVA could be induced by upper respiratory tract infection, inhale of oil vapor, acrimony air, over-burdened physical exercises etc. Conclusion For patients with chronic cough symptom, clear diagnosis of CVA, avoid of passable risk factors and timely medical intervention when necessary, would be helpful in controlling clinical courses and improving the prognosis of the disease.