The main objective of the survey is to recognize the predominant practice pattern in the management of dry cough between the primary care physicians in clinical settings of India.

A single visit, non-interventional, cross-sectional, interview based physician survey was conducted for a period of 3 months. 500 registered physicians with a minimum of 6 months of clinical practice and eager to participate in the survey were questioned in their clinic or hospital from June - August 2015. The physicians were asked to complete a structured questionnaire, which consisted of 28 questions, about their routine clinical practice alternating from etiology to patient demographics to treatment modalities for dry cough management.

The results of the survey showed that approximately 40% physicians informed that 11-20% of their patients had dry cough primarily. 57% and 46% physicians stated that acute and chronic dry cough was observed in >30% of their patients, respectively. Almost 68% physicians informed that > 21% of their patients had chronic dry cough and they were smokers. 61-62% physicians stated that 11-30% of their patients were exposed to pollution. Physicians report that 19.6% of their patients suffered allergy/asthma and were followed by respiratory tract infections in 17.6% patients, smokers cough in 11.4% patients and gastroesophageal reflux disease in 10.4% patients. 86.4% physicians mentioned that the underlying cause of chronic dry cough must be determined before starting the specific therapy and 13.6% physicians suggested that cough should be curbed to improve the quality of life of the patients. Dextromethorphan is ranked 1^st by 68% physicians and codeine is ranked 2^nd by 47% physicians. These are the most suggested antitussives in dry cough patients.

The survey concluded that dry cough causes significant impairment in a patients daily related activities. An increased awareness of treatment regime for the dry cough management in physicians can considerably improve the patients quality of life.

Source: Pore R, Biswas S, Das S. Prevailing Practices for the Management of Dry Cough in India: A Questionnaire Based Survey. J Assoc Physicians India. 2016 Jun;64(6):48-54.