Chronic Cough in Older Adults

Cough is a protective mechanism against aspiration, but it becomes pathologic when cough reflex is impaired or hypersensitive. Chronic cough is a clinical syndrome in adults, commonly characterized by hypersensitivity in the cough reflex, and is more prevalent and difficult to manage in older adults (≥65 years). The reason for the age-related increase in prevalence is unknown but may be related to comorbidities that are more frequent with aging. Adverse drug reactions can be also problematic in the aged patients, as they are prone to cognitive dysfunction, injurious fall, or pneumonia. In this chapter, we describe the characteristics of chronic cough in older adults and discuss clinical approaches including safety issues of therapeutic options.