A recent longitudinal, observational, population-based LEAD study published in Respiratory Medicine found that chronic cough is common among adults living in Austria and is highly prevalent among older adults. The researchers said that they analyzed over 10,057 adults through questionnaires and spirometry data to find that chronic cough is a prevalent medical condition (9%), particularly in older individuals. The majority of individuals with chronic cough (85%) can be assigned to a specific phenotype and can therefore potentially receive specific treatment. Fifteen percent belonged to the unexplained cough phenotype. In addition to finding the phenotypes of the individuals with chronic cough, the researchers also pointed out the significance of older age, current smoking, low socioeconomic status, obesity, COPD and sleep apnea as factors for the condition.