Upper Airway Cough Syndrome

Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2023 Feb;56(1):147-155. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2022.09.011. Epub 2022 Oct 22.

Abstract

Upper airway cough syndrome (UACS), formerly known as postnasal drip syndrome, is one of the most common causes of chronic cough. UACS, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux make up 90% of the cause of chronic cough. UACS is a clinical diagnosis of exclusion with no diagnostic testing or objective findings. UACS can be present with or without associated rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis. Treatment includes dual therapy with H1 receptor antihistamines and decongestants. Diagnosis is confirmed when therapeutic intervention results in symptom resolution.

Keywords: Chronic cough; Chronic rhinosinusitis; Postnasal drip; Rhinitis; UACS.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chronic Disease
  • Cough / diagnosis
  • Cough / etiology
  • Cough / therapy
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux* / complications
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux* / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Rhinitis* / complications
  • Rhinitis* / diagnosis
  • Rhinitis* / therapy
  • Sinusitis* / complications
  • Sinusitis* / diagnosis
  • Sinusitis* / therapy
  • Syndrome