ETIOLOGICAL SPECTRUM AND CLINICAL PATTERNS OF COUGH IN PATIENTS PRESENTING TO A CHEST DISEASES HOSPITAL

Background: Cough is among the most frequent symptoms prompting medical consultations globally and in Pakistan. While often benign, persistent cough may indicate underlying respiratory, cardiac, or gastrointestinal conditions that require timely diagnosis and management. Objective: To determine the etiological spectrum, demographic distribution, and clinical features of adult patients presenting with cough in a tertiary care setting. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 adult patients presenting with cough at a chest disease hospital in Kotri, Sindh. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, cough duration, associated symptoms, comorbidities, and final clinical diagnosis. Results: The most common causes of cough were acute respiratory tract infections (32%), chronic bronchitis and COPD (21%), asthma (15%), post-nasal drip syndrome (11%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (9%), and tuberculosis (8%). Smoking history was present in 46% of patients. Males accounted for 56% of the cohort, and the majority (61%) was aged 30–60 years. Conclusion: Cough is a symptom with diverse underlying causes, ranging from self-limiting infections to chronic respiratory diseases like COPD and TB. A thorough clinical evaluation is essential for proper diagnosis and avoiding empirical treatment. Keywords: Cough, respiratory infection, COPD and asthma