Prospective cohort study of chronic cough in the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging (CLSA)

Approximately 10% of people experience persistent coughing. Diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are associated with chronic cough with chronic cough persisting after treatment in some individuals. People with chronic cough experience social, psychological, and physical consequence including depression, anxiety, and reductions in social participation. The prevalence of chronic cough increases with age and is twice as high in females as in males which is hypothesized to be related to hormonal changes during menopause. However, it is unclear if chronic cough in individuals with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and those without either condition share the same risk factors and health consequences. The objectives of this project are designed to understand the prevalence, incidence, risk factors and health consequences of cough, including in individuals with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in the Canadian population.