Psychogenic cough is most commonly encountered in children and adolescents. A persistent cough due to an unidentifiable cause is the most important symptom. A detailed patient history and thorough physical examination are most important parts of the diagnostic workup, which must exclude organic causes prior to making the diagnosis.
Presentation
Defining clinical details of psychogenic cough are yet to be solidified, but a sudden onset of a barking or honking cough that appears due to an unknown trigger and its absence during nighttime are proposed as clinical criteria [1]. It is described in individuals of all ages [2] [3] [4], but the pediatric population is most frequently diagnosed with this disorder [2], with some form of emotional stress or anxiety considered as the main cause. Other manifestations (for example fever or weakness) are never observed [5], but the cough may disrupt daily activities and can be severely debilitating for the patient, especially when the diagnosis is delayed because of other suspected etiology [3]. Most recent guidelines, however, dispute the abovementioned clinical manifestations as sufficient to make the diagnosis, as very little evidence exists to support such criteria [1]. In fact, the term psychogenic cough was proposed to be replaced with "somatic cough", given the fact that patients with a presumed diagnosis of a psychogenic cough fulfill the diagnostic criteria for a somatic symptom disorder, such as continuous presence of a symptom that consumes excessive time and energy and high levels of anxiety related to the present symptom [1] [6]. The diagnosis may be even further complicated when a concomitant presence or recent history of other respiratory disorders - asthma or respiratory tract infection, is noted [2] [3] [4].
Respiratoric
- Cough
CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the 2006 CHEST Cough Guidelines, the major change in suggestions is that the terms psychogenic and habit cough be abandoned in favor of somatic cough syndrome and tic cough, respectively, even though the evidence to do so at [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Management and diagnosis of psychogenic cough, habit cough, and tic cough: A systematic review. [mayoclinic.pure.elsevier.com]
Psychogenic cough is most commonly encountered in children and adolescents. A persistent cough due to an unidentifiable cause is the most important symptom. [symptoma.com]
Workup
An extensive workup is necessary for patients with a chronic and unexplained cough [7]. The first step is a detailed patient history that can reveal possible triggers (allergens, tobacco, occupational exposure to irritants, or drugs) and assess the onset and progression of the cough [2]. If additional manifestations (fever, productive cough, weakness, nasal discharge, pain, epistaxis, etc) are noted, an infection of the upper respiratory tract, either bacterial or viral, is much more likely. Nevertheless, a thorough physical examination, with an emphasis on the respiratory system (lung auscultation and a proper throat exam, including indirect laryngoscopy), should follow [2], and if the etiology is still not disclosed, several other diagnostic procedures can be performed. Functional lung testing through spirometry, imaging studies (computed tomography) and allergen testing are recommended, but crucial part of workup if psychogenic cough is suspected is an interview with a clinical psychologist [1], which can provide more information about the emotional background of a patient [2] [7]. It is not uncommon for patients to stop coughing after guided counseling sessions [2] [7], further emphasizing the role of a clinical psychologist in evaluating chronic unexplained cough.
Treatment
The treatment of persistent psychogenic cough, a potentially debilitating condition among pediatric patients, can pose diagnostic and treatment dilemmas. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
The lack of treatment for each and every known cause of cough (even if mild) is the most common reason why treatment of laryngeal sensory neuropathy fails with neuropathic medication. [fauquierent.net]
Prognosis
Monday, 01 June 2009 Anxiety is a significant problem for many patients with respiratory disease and can have a very negative impact on the disease course and prognosis. [bjpcn-respiratory.com]
The site of infection determines the patient's prognosis. [medscape.com]
Etiology
Other manifestations (for example fever or weakness) are never observed, but the cough may disrupt daily activities and can be severely debilitating for the patient, especially when the diagnosis is delayed because of other suspected etiology. [symptoma.com]
This observation, in association with negative findings on diagnostic tests, lack of response to therapy and the clinical characteristics of the cough, raised the suspicion of a psychogenic etiology. [archbronconeumol.org]
The appropriate use of psychologic consultation, testing, and success with supportive reinforcement therapy confirmed a psychogenic etiology. Extended medical follow-up of the patient concerning cough reoccurrence remains uneventful. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
AB - BACKGROUND: Several pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapeutic options have been used to treat cough that is not associated with a pulmonary or extrapulmonary etiology. [mayoclinic.pure.elsevier.com]
Epidemiology
Although other organisms can trigger a similar response, it is useful to consider gram-negative bacteremia as a distinct entity because of its characteristic epidemiology, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and treatment. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Epidemiology of infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Rev Infect Dis. 1984 Sep-Oct. 6 Suppl 3:S627-42. [Medline]. Mukhopedhyay S, Singh M, Cater JI. [medscape.com]
Epidemiology and Control of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common inhabitant of soil, water, and vegetation. [textbookofbacteriology.net]
Studies suggest that in 90% of children with acute upper respiratory tract infections, the cough has settled within 25 days. [ 5 ] Epidemiology Surveys show that parent-reported cough (as an isolated symptom) is common. [ 1 ] Prevalence of chronic cough [patient.info]
In Australia, cough is one of the most common reasons for presenting for a medical consultation. 9, 10 Epidemiological studies identify a 5%–10% prevalence of chronic cough in both adults and children. 9 Chronic cough has a negative impact on quality [mja.com.au]
Pathophysiology
Huxham Jennifer McGinley 347 36 1 Frontal Gait Apraxia: Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Rehabilitation, Robert Iansek Noor H. Ismail Margaret Bruce 363 37 1 Gait Dysfunction in Huntington's Disease: Parkinsonism and a Disorder of Timing. [laurel.lso.missouri.edu]
Although other organisms can trigger a similar response, it is useful to consider gram-negative bacteremia as a distinct entity because of its characteristic epidemiology, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and treatment. [emedicine.medscape.com]
In these cases the cough is frequently dry, but because excess mucus production is part of the pathophysiology of asthma, the cough can become “wet.” All patients with asthma should have a written asthma-management plan in place ( Table 2 ). [clinicaladvisor.com]
[…] adults In ADULTS, vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is characterised by episodic and involuntary narrowing of the vocal cords during inspiration, leading to symptoms of inspiratory dyspnoea, stridor, cough, throat tightness and dysphonia. 34 The underlying pathophysiology [mja.com.au]
Prevention
Drying your ears after swimming can also help prevent swimmer’s ear. [healthline.com]
Covering the full spectrum of health conditions seen in the primary care of children, Pediatric Primary Care, 5th Edition emphasizes both prevention and management from the unique perspective of the Nurse Practitioner. [books.google.de]
In contrast with cough of organic etiology, there is no clinical or laboratory evidence of disease. 1,2 Efforts to make an early diagnosis will reduce morbidity, prevent fixation of symptoms and avoid unnecessary procedures and therapies. 2 We report [archbronconeumol.org]
[…] concurrently ranging from adult, youth, and dislocated worker programs, to programs related to energy conservation, emergency supportive services, foster family services, youth services, migrant child care, community youth centers, child development programs, prevention [2018.proteusinc.org]
How to Stop the Anxiety Cough Generally, the best way to stop symptoms of anxiety is to prevent anxiety itself. With coughing though, it's not quite that simple. [calmclinic.com]
References
- Vertigan AE, Murad MH, Pringsheim T, et al. Somatic Cough Syndrome (Previously Referred to as Psychogenic Cough) and Tic Cough (Previously Referred to as Habit Cough) in Adults and Children: CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel Report. Chest. 2015;148(1):24-31.
- Niggemann B. How to diagnose psychogenic and functional breathing disorders in children and adolescents. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2010;21(6):895-899.
- McGarvey LP, Warke TJ, McNiff C, Heaney LG, MacMahon J. Psychogenic cough in a schoolboy: evaluation using an ambulatory cough recorder. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003;36(1):73-75.
- Oliveira R, Martins V, Moreira C. Psychogenic Cough: A Rare Cause of Chronic Cough. Arch Bronconeumol. 2015;51(11):604-605.
- Porter RS, Kaplan JL. Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. 19th Edition. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. Whitehouse Station, N.J; 2011.
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013.
- Linz AJ, Daniels RW, Fallon LF Jr. Psychogenic cough in an asthmatic child: case report with unusual findings. J Asthma. 2007;44(1):13-18.