Figure 1

Assessment of chronic cough lasting more than 8 weeks without history of wheezing. After ruling out lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis, SBS, chronic bronchitis, and ACE-I-associated cough, bronchodilator therapy was initiated (oral clenbuterol 40 μg/day for at least 2 weeks, and inhaled procaterol on demand). If this treatment was effective, CVA was diagnosed. If not, AC or GERD-associated cough was suspected, and glucocorticosteroid therapy was begun (oral prednisolone 30 mg/day for at least 1 week). If this treatment was effective, AC was diagnosed. If not, GERD-associated cough was suspected and PPI therapy was begun (oral lansoprazole 30 mg/day for at least 2 weeks).