Background/Objectives: Chronic cough affects up to 33% of patients worldwide. Given that other laryngological conditions have seen improved outcomes with adequate treatment of comorbid mental health disorders, understanding the role of anxiety and depression in patients’ perception of their cough may provide insight into preferred treatment plans.
Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients presenting for chronic cough was completed. Demographics, mental health diagnoses, and patient-reported outcome measures (Cough Severity Index [CSI], Reflux Severity Index [RSI], Glottic Function Index [GFI], and Voice Related Quality of Life [VQROL]) were collected. Pairwise comparisons of patient-reported outcomes between patients with anxiety only, depression only, anxiety and depression, and neither were done using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests.
Results: 143 patients were included. 22 (15%) patients had a diagnosis of anxiety only, 12 (8%) had a diagnosis of depression only, 27 (19%) had both anxiety and depression diagnoses, and 82 (57%) had neither diagnosis. CSI scores were higher in those with both anxiety and depression as compared to neither, with a median score of 26 vs. 19 respectively (p = 0.007). Similarly, the median reflux severity index (RSI) score for those with anxiety and depression was 29 vs. 21 for those with neither (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Patients with prior diagnoses of anxiety and depression experience more severe self-reported symptoms for chronic cough. Adequately understanding psychogenic components of cough severity may allow for more individualized, successful treatment plans.