Is persistent cough hereditary? What scientists have discovered

A persistent cough is one of the most common reasons for seeking medical attention, with middle-aged women most affected. New studies at Uppsala University in Sweden also show that the condition appears to be a hereditary phenomenon.

“More than 10% of the population has a chronic cough, and it has been shown to have a number of negative effects: lower quality of life, reduced work capacity and voice problems. Currently, we do not know enough about the causes of cough and the best way to treat it,” said Össur Ingi Emilsson, PhD in lung, allergy and sleep research at the university’s Department of Medical Sciences, in a statement.

A recent study by this university showed that women between the ages of 40 and 60 are the most affected, the magazine says PLOSE ONE.

Research in Northern Europe of 7,155 parents and their 8,176 adult children over 20 years showed that if one parent had a chronic dry cough, their children had a more than 50% greater risk of having a chronic dry cough. This association was independent of gender, asthma or smoking.

“A similar relationship was observed for productive cough, but in these cases smoking had a greater effect on frequency. These findings indicate that there is a genetic link in chronic cough,” said the scientist.