Collaborating with Global Experts to Establish an Evidence-Based Taxonomy and Diagnostic Standards for Chronic Cough

“Chronic cough has long been overlooked as a disease. Our goal is to build a global consensus that transforms how we conceptualize and treat patients.”

▲ Professor Woo-Jung Song of the Division of Allergy from Asan Medical Center

A major international initiative is underway to reshape how chronic cough is conceptualized and diagnosed. Chaired by Professor Woo-Jung Song of the Division of Allergy at Asan Medical Center, the newly approved European Respiratory Society (ERS) Task Force is collaborating with global experts to establish an evidence-based taxonomy for chronic cough. This includes classifying it both as a distinct disease entity and as a symptom associated with other respiratory or systemic disorders. This effort addresses a critical gap in global diagnostic standards, as current International Classification of Diseases codes provide little framework for chronic cough.

The absence of appropriate diagnostic labels and coding systems has created substantial challenges for patients and clinicians. Without clear terminology, patients often face uncertainty regarding their condition, while clinicians struggle with communication, documentation, and long-term management. From a public health perspective, the lack of proper coding renders chronic cough largely invisible in national and global statistics, limiting awareness, research investment, and policy development.

Professor Song commented, “Chronic cough has long been regarded merely as a secondary symptom of conditions such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and gastroesophageal reflux. However, driven by recent advances in neurobiological research and new therapeutics, international discussions are rapidly expanding to recognize refractory chronic cough as a disease in its own right.”

He added that growing scientific evidence supports a more precise and structured approach. “In many adults, chronic cough represents a disease entity with its own distinct mechanisms and clinical course. To address this, we need an evidence-based taxonomy with clear diagnostic labels and criteria, moving beyond traditional symptom-based descriptions.”

The Task Force’s findings are expected to serve as a blueprint for future guidelines and health policies. By clearly defining chronic cough and its related conditions, this work will enable more accurate diagnoses, improved data collection, and targeted research advancement. Ultimately, the Task Force aims to deliver a consensus-based classification system that facilitates consistent diagnosis globally, paving the way for better care and greater hope for patients worldwide.