Cough-Variant Asthma: A Review of Clinical Characteristics, Diagnosis, and Pathophysiology.

Cox, Joshua K; Lockey, Richard; Cardet, Juan Carlos · J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract · 2025

review · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Chronic cough is among the most common symptoms prompting medical care. Cough-variant asthma (CVA) is an asthma subset where cough is the primary symptom, without wheezing, chest tightness, or dyspnea. It is an important cause of chronic cough, estimated to account for 25% to 42% of cases, but likely underdiagnosed due to delayed recognition and pitfalls of diagnostic testing. Early recognition and treatment can reduce morbidity and delay its progression to more typical asthma. This review details the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment of CVA and contrasts it with classic asthma and other causes of chronic cough.

Medical subject headings