1 Dry cough for at least 8 weeks without wheezing or dyspnoea 2 One or more findings suggesting an atopic predisposition† or induced sputum eosinophilia 3 No airway reversibility‡ 4 Normal airway responsiveness 5 Increased cough sensitivity 6 No response to bronchodilator therapy 7 No abnormal findings on CXR 8 Normal pulmonary function †Findings suggesting an atopic predisposition: (i) Current or past history an allergic disorder other than asthma; (ii) Peripheral blood eosinophilia; (iii) Increased serum total IgE; (iv)Positive for specific IgE; and (v) Positive allergen intradermal test ‡Less than 10% increase in FEV1 with adequate dose of a bronchodilator Helpful findings: (i) Presence of eosinophils in tracheobronchial biopsy specimens; (ii) Absence of eosinophils in BAL fluid; and (iii) Relief of cough with histamine H1 antagonists and/or steroids.

Table 1: Diagnostic criteria for atopic cough (must fulfil all criteria 1–8)