Cough variant asthma
Cough variant asthma (CVA) occurs in all ages but is commonly seen in young children. CVA is manifested as a night-time cough
without wheezing, and is thought to be a subset of asthma. Pulmonary function testing is often normal, but the child may have
a positive response to a methcholine challenge [Todokoro: 2003], although a treatment trial is usually performed without this test.
Chronic cough is a common presentation to primary care providers, and if the cough is mainly nocturnal and has been present
for greater than two weeks, a trial of asthma medications may be warranted for CVA. [Johnson: 1991] This is particularly true if there is a personal history of allergy and a family history of allergy and/or asthma. Medications
may consist of
bronchodilators, inhaled or oral corticosteroids, or leukotriene modifiers; no controlled studies to favor one class over
the other have been performed. [Antoniu: 2007]
In one study in Japan, between one third and one half of children with chronic cough went on to develop typical asthma. [Todokoro: 2003]
Authors
| Compiler: | Information compiled by Medical Home Portal authors and staff |
| Content Last Updated: | 9/2008 |
Page Bibliography
Antoniu SA, Mihaescu T, Donner CF.
Pharmacotherapy of cough-variant asthma.
Expert Opin Pharmacother.
2007;8(17):3021-8.
PubMed abstract
Johnson D, Osborn LM.
Cough variant asthma: a review of the clinical literature.
J Asthma.
1991;28(2):85-90.
PubMed abstract
Todokoro M, Mochizuki H, Tokuyama K, Morikawa A.
Childhood cough variant asthma and its relationship to classic asthma.
Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol.
2003;90(6):652-9.
PubMed abstract