The current state of cough research: the clinician's perspective.

Cough is one of the most common reasons for medical consultation and it is responsible for a large human and socioeconomic burden. Current guidelines provide a useful framework for cough management and summarize current knowledge of causes and optimal testing sequences and treatments of cough. However, research is needed on the role of noninvasive airway inflammation measurement in assessing etiology; optimal treatment of postinfectious cough or cough due to gastroesophageal reflux disease; protussive treatment; causes of chronic cough in immunocompromised hosts; and characteristics and management of psychogenic cough. The effects of the use or nonuse of evidence-based guidelines should be documented. An empiric, integrative approach to management of chronic cough also needs further validation.