Management of Refractory Chronic Cough and Emerging Therapies in 2025

Authors

  • Imran Satia, MA, MB BChir (cantab), PhD, MRCP Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58931/crt.2025.1211

Abstract

Chronic cough, defined as cough lasting for more than 8 weeks, affects approximately 10% of adults globally, with prevalence reaching as high as 16% in Canada. Cough is the leading cause of ambulatory and primary care visits and one of the most common reasons for referral to secondary care. Patients with chronic cough experience a median of 500 coughs per day, which significantly impairs their quality of life. This high frequency of coughing leads to distressing physical, psychological, and social consequences, such as urinary incontinence, exhaustion, sleep disturbances, fatigue, anxiety, frustration, embarrassment, and social isolation, especially in the post-COVID era.

Author Biography

  • Imran Satia, MA, MB BChir (cantab), PhD, MRCP, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    Dr. Imran Satia is a respirologist and associate professor at McMaster University and hold the Canada Research Chair in chronic cough. He is respiratory clinician-scientist with expertise in chronic cough. Imran completed a Masters in neurophysiology and medical degree at the University of Cambridge and subsequently completed clinical rotations in respiratory medicine and general internal medicine. Imran completed a PhD in the neuronal mechanisms of cough and was awarded the British Medical Association James Trust Award. He was awarded the European Respiratory Society Marie-Curie Global Fellowship, the E.J. Moran Campbell Early Career Award, and the ERS Mid-Career Gold Medal Award. Imran has also developed the McMaster Cough Severity Questionnaire for use in clinical trials.

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Published

2025-10-06

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How to Cite

Management of Refractory Chronic Cough and Emerging Therapies in 2025. (2025). Canadian Respirology Today, 1(2), 5–11. https://doi.org/10.58931/crt.2025.1211