CICADA: Cough in Children and Adults: Diagnosis and Assessment. Australian Cough Guidelines summary statement

ough is a common and distressing symptom that results in significant health care costs from medical consultations and medication use. Non-specific cough suppressanttherapy offers little benefit in managing persistent cough. Successful management requires a treatment program based on accurate diagnosis and understanding of the cough aetiology. CICADA (Cough in Children and Adults: Diagnosis and Assessment) is a clinical guideline for the assessment and management of persistent coughin children and adults. CICADA was developed by a multidisciplinary expert committee after a needs assessmentby clinicians (summarised at http://www.lungfoundation.com.au/content/view/311/345). The guideline development process is further described in Box 1. Definitions Cough is a reflex activity with elements of voluntary control. It forms part of the somatosensory systemthat involves visceral sensation, a reflex motor response and associated behavioural responses. 4 Clinically useful definitions of cough are based on the duration of the symptom, whether it is associated with specific conditions recognised to cause cough, and its response (or lack of response) to treatment (Box 2). CICADA addresses protracted and chronic cough, and does not make recommendations for acute cough.