To evaluate the efficacy of empirical therapy for chronic cough in a community hospital.

Ninety-eight patients with chronic cough were selected and randomly divided into a conventional therapy group (n=49) and an empirical therapy group (n=49). Both groups were given conventional treatment with ambroxol for diluting sputum and compound dextromethorphan hydrobromide syrup for relieving cough, and the empirical therapy group was additionally given empiric treatment by implementing targeted remedies based on medical history. The treatments in both groups lasted one week.

The cough symptom score in empirical therapy group was significantly reduced compared with that in conventional therapy group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was significantly higher in empirical therapy group than in conventional therapy group (77.5% vs 55.1%, P<0.05).

The empirical therapy for chronic cough in community hospitals is effective and reliable, and can be a substitute in limited conditions.