Cough and weight loss

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Karina Zavaleta, MD [2], Anmol Pitliya, M.B.B.S. M.D.[3]

Cough and Weight Loss differential diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Organ system		Diseases	Clinical manifestations								Diagnosis				Other features
			Symptoms							Physical exam	Diagnosis
			Onset	Duration	Productive cough	Hemoptysis	Weight lost	Fever	Dyspnea	Ascultation	Lab findings	Imaging	PFT	Gold standard
Respiratory	Upper airway diseases	Pertussis^[1]^[2]	Acute	Two weeks	+ Whooping sound	−	+	+	+	Clear chest	Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) shows Bordetella pertussis Serologic testing	Atelectasis may seen on chest imaging Lymphadenopathy	Normal function	Culture	Etiology: Bordetella pertussis Phases: Catarrhal, paroxysmal and convalescent
Respiratory	Parenchyma	Pneumoconioses^[3]^[4]	Acute, Chronic	Years	−	−	+	+	+	Wheezing Rhonchi Crackles	CBC and ABG may be helpful	Small oppacities and fibrosis observed in chest X−ray CT and FDG−PET may be helpful	FEV1/FVC <70% FEV1 <80%	Exposure history and chest radiograph	Fibrogenic: Silica, asbestos Inert: Iron, barium Granulomatous: Beryllium Giant cell pneumonia: Cobalt
		Lung cancer^[5]^[6]	Chronic	Years	+	+	+	+/−	+	Hoarseness	The following investigations may be helpful: Complete blood count (CBC) ALT, AST Calcium Alkaline phosphatase LDH Creatinine	Contrast−enhanced CT of chest and upper abdomen	Not specific	Tissue biopsy (sample should be sufficient for molecular testing)	Risk factor: Cigarette smoking Types Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) Non−small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
		Interstitial lung disease^[7]^[8]	Chronic	Variable	−	+	+	−	+	Wheezing Crackles or velcro rales Inspiratory high−pitched rhonchi	The following investigations may be helpful: Hepatic function test Renal function test CBC Serological testing	Nodular, reticular or both pattern in chest X−ray CT in patients with diffuse pulmonary lung disease	Reduction in FVC, RV, FRC, TLC and FEV1 on spirometry FEV1/FVC normal or increase Lung volumes Diffusion capacity (DLCO reduced)	Lung biopsy when lab, imaging, and PFT has indeterminate result	Clubbing is common in asbestosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
		Tuberculosis (TB)^[9]^[10]	Chronic	More than 2 or 3 weeks	+	+	+	+	+	Pleural effusion Crackles Whispered pectoriloquy Decreased fremitus Rhonchi	Sputum acid−fast bacilli (AFB) smear may be positive Mycobacterial culture may be positive Molecular testing may be helpful	Reactivation of TB is observed as infiltration in the upper lobe in chest X−Ray In patients with HIV, Tb is observed as lobar infiltration, adenopathy, lung mass named tuberculoma, small fibronodular lesions, and/or pleural effusion on chest X−Ray CT can detect early nodal process	Decreased FEV1 Reduced FVC	Isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from some secretion	Etiology: Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complications: Pneumothorax, bronchiectasis, pulmonary destruction and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis
		Cystic fibrosis (CF)^[11]^[12]	Chronic	Variable	+	−	+	+/−	+	Barrel−shaped chest Wheezing Tachypnea	Respiratory tract culture may be helpful for diagnosing secondary bacterial infection Bronchoalveolar lavage for cytology may be helpful ≥ 60 mmol/L Sweat chloride test CFTR mutation in molecular testing may be positive	Hyperinflation, atelectasis, and infiltrates on chest X−Ray Severe patients present bronchietasis, "tram tracks" peribronchial cuffing in chest X−Ray The extension of bronchietasis can be defined by CT	RV/TLC ratio increased FEV1/FVC ratio <70% Low levels of FEV1 High levels of TLC RV increased	Sweat chloride test	Evidence of CFTR dysfunction
Organ system		Diseases	Clinical manifestations								Diagnosis				Other features
			Symptoms							Physical exam	Diagnosis
			Onset	Duration	Productive cough	Hemoptysis	Weight lost	Fever	Dyspnea	Ascultation	Lab findings	Imaging	PFT	Gold standard
Cardiac		Cardiogenic pulmonary edema^[13]^[14]	Acute	Days to weeks	+ Pink frothy, liquid	−	+	−	+	Crackles Increased respiratory rate Wheezing Rhonchi Gurgling sounds	The following investigations may be helpful: Arterial blood gas BUN Serum creatinin Serum troponin Electrolytes Lactic acid Complete blood count	Cardiomegaly, pleural effusion, interstitial edema, alveolar edema and blood redistribution in lower lobes in chest X−ray	Not specific	Clinical diagnosis Tests are supportive	12−lead ECG Plasma BNP and NT−proBNP Echocardiography
Cardiac		Pulmonary hypertension^[15]^[16]	Chronic	More than 2 years	−	+	+	−	+	Hoarseness	The following investigations may be helpful: HIV serology Antinuclear antibody (ANA) Rheumatoid factor (RF) Anti−neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)	Enlargement of the central pulmonary artery and right heart in chest X−Ray Pulmonary artery systolic pressure can be estimated in echocardiography	Low levels of FEV1 Decreased FVC DLCO reduced	Mean pulmonary artery pressure more than 25 mmHg at rest	Chest pain Ascites Syncope Peripherial edema
Gastrointestinal		Gastroesophageal reflux^[17]^[18]	Chronic	Variable	+	−	+	−	+	Wheezing Hoarseness	Not specific	Upper endoscopy may be helpful Barium esophagram may be helpful	Normal function	PH testing	−−
Organ system		Diseases	Clinical manifestations								Diagnosis				Other features
			Symptoms							Physical exam	Diagnosis
			Onset	Duration	Productive cough	Hemoptysis	Weight lost	Fever	Dyspnea	Ascultation	Lab findings	Imaging	PFT	Gold standard
Autoimmune		Wegener's disease (GPA) ^[19]^[20]	Chronic	Months	+	+	+	+	+	Hoarseness Stridor Wheezing	The following investigations may be helpful: ANCA, P−ANCA, C−ANCA BUN Creatinine Complete blood count Urinalysis Lung biopsy	Nodules, pulmonary infiltrates, reticular margins, pleural opacities and cavities in chest X−Ray Nodules, cavities and stellate−shaped peripherial pulmonary in chest CT Bronchoscopy may be helpful	Low levels of DLCO Reduce lung volumes	Tissue biopsy	Nasal crusting, sinus pain, chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal obstruction and discharge in upper airway Saddle nose deformity Purpura in lower extremities
		Sarcoidosis^[21]^[22]	Chronic	Years	−	−	+	+	+	Wheezing Squeaky sounds	The following investigations may be helpful: Complete blood count (CBC) Urinalysis BUN Liver function test Calcium Alkaline phosphatase levels Electrolytes Histopathologic detection	On chest X−Ray: Stage 1: Bilateral hiliar adenopathy Stage 2: Reticular opacities and hiliar adenopathy Stage 3: Shrink hiliar nodules and reticular opacities Stage 4: Lost of volume	Reduced FVC Decreased of TLC	Clinical diagnosis, histopathologic detection of noncaseating granulomas and exclusion of other diseases	Young adults Skin, joint and eye lesions
		Microscopic polyangitis (MPA)^[23]	Chronic	Variable	+	+	+	+	+	Hoarseness Stridor Wheezing	The following investigations may be helpful: ANCA positive BUN Creatinine Complete blood count Urinalysis	Cavitation, nodules, and alveolar opacities in chest X−ray Head and chest CT may be helpful Electromyography/nerve conduction study may also be helpful	Reduced lung volumes	Tissue biopsy	Nerve damage Rhinosinusitis Purpura involving lower extremities
		Churg−Strauss^[24]^[25]	Chronic	Variable	+	+	+	+	+	Wheezing Rales Rhonchi Expiratory sounds(related to asthma)	Peripherial eosinophilia In active phase CRP and erytrocyte sedimentation rate high Elevated IgE ANCA positive	Infiltrates in chest X−Ray Ground glass opacities, tree−in−bud sign and small nodules in chest CT	Lung volumes decreased FVC reduced FEV1/FVC ratio <70%	Tissue biopsy	Asthma Eosinophilia Rhinosinusitis

References[edit | edit source]

↑ Bellamy EA, Johnston ID, Wilson AG (1987). "The chest radiograph in whooping cough". Clin Radiol. 38 (1): 39–43. PMID 3816065.
↑ "Pertussis | Whooping Cough | Clinical | Information | CDC".
↑ Jp NA, Imanaka M, Suganuma N (2017). "Japanese workplace health management in pneumoconiosis prevention". J Occup Health. 59 (2): 91–103. doi:10.1539/joh.16-0031-RA. PMC 5478517. PMID 27980247.
↑ Weiland DA, Lynch DA, Jensen SP, Newell JD, Miller DE, Crausman RS, Kuhn C, Kern DG (2003). "Thin-section CT findings in flock worker's lung, a work-related interstitial lung disease". Radiology. 227 (1): 222–31. doi:10.1148/radiol.2271011063. PMID 12668748.
↑ Jemal A, Bray F, Center MM, Ferlay J, Ward E, Forman D (2011). "Global cancer statistics". CA Cancer J Clin. 61 (2): 69–90. doi:10.3322/caac.20107. PMID 21296855.
↑ Ost DE, Jim Yeung SC, Tanoue LT, Gould MK (2013). "Clinical and organizational factors in the initial evaluation of patients with lung cancer: Diagnosis and management of lung cancer, 3rd ed: American College of Chest Physicians evidence-based clinical practice guidelines". Chest. 143 (5 Suppl): e121S–e141S. doi:10.1378/chest.12-2352. PMC 4694609. PMID 23649435.
↑ Lama VN, Martinez FJ (2004). "Resting and exercise physiology in interstitial lung diseases". Clin. Chest Med. 25 (3): 435–53, v. doi:10.1016/j.ccm.2004.05.005. PMID 15331185.
↑ Chetta A, Marangio E, Olivieri D (2004). "Pulmonary function testing in interstitial lung diseases". Respiration. 71 (3): 209–13. doi:10.1159/000077416. PMID 15133338.
↑ Perlman DC, el-Sadr WM, Nelson ET, Matts JP, Telzak EE, Salomon N, Chirgwin K, Hafner R (1997). "Variation of chest radiographic patterns in pulmonary tuberculosis by degree of human immunodeficiency virus-related immunosuppression. The Terry Beirn Community Programs for Clinical Research on AIDS (CPCRA). The AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG)". Clin. Infect. Dis. 25 (2): 242–6. PMID 9332519.
↑ Barnes PF, Verdegem TD, Vachon LA, Leedom JM, Overturf GD (1988). "Chest roentgenogram in pulmonary tuberculosis. New data on an old test". Chest. 94 (2): 316–20. PMID 2456183.
↑ Farrell PM, Rosenstein BJ, White TB, Accurso FJ, Castellani C, Cutting GR, Durie PR, Legrys VA, Massie J, Parad RB, Rock MJ, Campbell PW (2008). "Guidelines for diagnosis of cystic fibrosis in newborns through older adults: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation consensus report". J. Pediatr. 153 (2): S4–S14. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2008.05.005. PMC 2810958. PMID 18639722.
↑ Kerem E, Reisman J, Corey M, Canny GJ, Levison H (1992). "Prediction of mortality in patients with cystic fibrosis". N. Engl. J. Med. 326 (18): 1187–91. doi:10.1056/NEJM199204303261804. PMID 1285737.
↑ Gheorghiade M, Zannad F, Sopko G, Klein L, Piña IL, Konstam MA, Massie BM, Roland E, Targum S, Collins SP, Filippatos G, Tavazzi L (2005). "Acute heart failure syndromes: current state and framework for future research". Circulation. 112 (25): 3958–68. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.590091. PMID 16365214.
↑ Yancy CW, Jessup M, Bozkurt B, Butler J, Casey DE, Drazner MH, Fonarow GC, Geraci SA, Horwich T, Januzzi JL, Johnson MR, Kasper EK, Levy WC, Masoudi FA, McBride PE, McMurray JJ, Mitchell JE, Peterson PN, Riegel B, Sam F, Stevenson LW, Tang WH, Tsai EJ, Wilkoff BL (2013). "2013 ACCF/AHA guideline for the management of heart failure: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on practice guidelines". Circulation. 128 (16): e240–327. doi:10.1161/CIR.0b013e31829e8776. PMID 23741058.
↑ Brown LM, Chen H, Halpern S, Taichman D, McGoon MD, Farber HW, Frost AE, Liou TG, Turner M, Feldkircher K, Miller DP, Elliott CG (2011). "Delay in recognition of pulmonary arterial hypertension: factors identified from the REVEAL Registry". Chest. 140 (1): 19–26. doi:10.1378/chest.10-1166. PMC 3198486. PMID 21393391.
↑ Sun XG, Hansen JE, Oudiz RJ, Wasserman K (2003). "Pulmonary function in primary pulmonary hypertension". J Am Coll Cardiol. 41 (6): 1028–35. PMID 12651053.
↑ Kahrilas PJ, Hughes N, Howden CW (2011). "Response of unexplained chest pain to proton pump inhibitor treatment in patients with and without objective evidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease". Gut. 60 (11): 1473–8. doi:10.1136/gut.2011.241307. PMID 21508423.
↑ Badillo R, Francis D (2014). "Diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease". World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. 5 (3): 105–12. doi:10.4292/wjgpt.v5.i3.105. PMC 4133436. PMID 25133039.
↑ Hoffman GS, Kerr GS, Leavitt RY, Hallahan CW, Lebovics RS, Travis WD, Rottem M, Fauci AS (1992). "Wegener granulomatosis: an analysis of 158 patients". Ann. Intern. Med. 116 (6): 488–98. PMID 1739240.
↑ Falk RJ, Gross WL, Guillevin L, Hoffman GS, Jayne DR, Jennette JC, Kallenberg CG, Luqmani R, Mahr AD, Matteson EL, Merkel PA, Specks U, Watts RA (2011). "Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's): an alternative name for Wegener's granulomatosis". Arthritis Rheum. 63 (4): 863–4. doi:10.1002/art.30286. PMID 21374588.
↑ Carmona EM, Kalra S, Ryu JH (2016). "Pulmonary Sarcoidosis: Diagnosis and Treatment". Mayo Clin. Proc. 91 (7): 946–54. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.03.004. PMID 27378039.
↑ Yanardağ H, Pamuk GE, Karayel T, Demirci S (2002). "Bone marrow involvement in sarcoidosis: an analysis of 50 bone marrow samples". Haematologia (Budap). 32 (4): 419–25. PMID 12803116.
↑ Jennette, J. Charles; Falk, Ronald J. (1997). "Small-Vessel Vasculitis". New England Journal of Medicine. 337 (21): 1512–1523. doi:10.1056/NEJM199711203372106. ISSN 0028-4793.
↑ Vaglio A, Buzio C, Zwerina J (2013). "Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss): state of the art". Allergy. 68 (3): 261–73. doi:10.1111/all.12088. PMID 23330816.
↑ Lanham JG, Elkon KB, Pusey CD, Hughes GR (1984). "Systemic vasculitis with asthma and eosinophilia: a clinical approach to the Churg-Strauss syndrome". Medicine (Baltimore). 63 (2): 65–81. PMID 6366453.

[pmid3816065-1] Bellamy EA, Johnston ID, Wilson AG (1987). "The chest radiograph in whooping cough". Clin Radiol. 38 (1): 39–43. PMID 3816065.

[urlPertussis_|_Whooping_Cough_|_Clinical_|_Information_|_CDC-2] "Pertussis | Whooping Cough | Clinical | Information | CDC".

[pmid27980247-3] Jp NA, Imanaka M, Suganuma N (2017). "Japanese workplace health management in pneumoconiosis prevention". J Occup Health. 59 (2): 91–103. doi:10.1539/joh.16-0031-RA. PMC 5478517. PMID 27980247.

[pmid12668748-4] Weiland DA, Lynch DA, Jensen SP, Newell JD, Miller DE, Crausman RS, Kuhn C, Kern DG (2003). "Thin-section CT findings in flock worker's lung, a work-related interstitial lung disease". Radiology. 227 (1): 222–31. doi:10.1148/radiol.2271011063. PMID 12668748.

[pmid21296855-5] Jemal A, Bray F, Center MM, Ferlay J, Ward E, Forman D (2011). "Global cancer statistics". CA Cancer J Clin. 61 (2): 69–90. doi:10.3322/caac.20107. PMID 21296855.

[pmid23649435-6] Ost DE, Jim Yeung SC, Tanoue LT, Gould MK (2013). "Clinical and organizational factors in the initial evaluation of patients with lung cancer: Diagnosis and management of lung cancer, 3rd ed: American College of Chest Physicians evidence-based clinical practice guidelines". Chest. 143 (5 Suppl): e121S–e141S. doi:10.1378/chest.12-2352. PMC 4694609. PMID 23649435.

[pmid15331185-7] Lama VN, Martinez FJ (2004). "Resting and exercise physiology in interstitial lung diseases". Clin. Chest Med. 25 (3): 435–53, v. doi:10.1016/j.ccm.2004.05.005. PMID 15331185.

[pmid15133338-8] Chetta A, Marangio E, Olivieri D (2004). "Pulmonary function testing in interstitial lung diseases". Respiration. 71 (3): 209–13. doi:10.1159/000077416. PMID 15133338.

[pmid9332519-9] Perlman DC, el-Sadr WM, Nelson ET, Matts JP, Telzak EE, Salomon N, Chirgwin K, Hafner R (1997). "Variation of chest radiographic patterns in pulmonary tuberculosis by degree of human immunodeficiency virus-related immunosuppression. The Terry Beirn Community Programs for Clinical Research on AIDS (CPCRA). The AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG)". Clin. Infect. Dis. 25 (2): 242–6. PMID 9332519.

[pmid2456183-10] Barnes PF, Verdegem TD, Vachon LA, Leedom JM, Overturf GD (1988). "Chest roentgenogram in pulmonary tuberculosis. New data on an old test". Chest. 94 (2): 316–20. PMID 2456183.

[pmid18639722-11] Farrell PM, Rosenstein BJ, White TB, Accurso FJ, Castellani C, Cutting GR, Durie PR, Legrys VA, Massie J, Parad RB, Rock MJ, Campbell PW (2008). "Guidelines for diagnosis of cystic fibrosis in newborns through older adults: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation consensus report". J. Pediatr. 153 (2): S4–S14. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2008.05.005. PMC 2810958. PMID 18639722.

[pmid1285737-12] Kerem E, Reisman J, Corey M, Canny GJ, Levison H (1992). "Prediction of mortality in patients with cystic fibrosis". N. Engl. J. Med. 326 (18): 1187–91. doi:10.1056/NEJM199204303261804. PMID 1285737.

[pmid16365214-13] Gheorghiade M, Zannad F, Sopko G, Klein L, Piña IL, Konstam MA, Massie BM, Roland E, Targum S, Collins SP, Filippatos G, Tavazzi L (2005). "Acute heart failure syndromes: current state and framework for future research". Circulation. 112 (25): 3958–68. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.590091. PMID 16365214.

[pmid23741058-14] Yancy CW, Jessup M, Bozkurt B, Butler J, Casey DE, Drazner MH, Fonarow GC, Geraci SA, Horwich T, Januzzi JL, Johnson MR, Kasper EK, Levy WC, Masoudi FA, McBride PE, McMurray JJ, Mitchell JE, Peterson PN, Riegel B, Sam F, Stevenson LW, Tang WH, Tsai EJ, Wilkoff BL (2013). "2013 ACCF/AHA guideline for the management of heart failure: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on practice guidelines". Circulation. 128 (16): e240–327. doi:10.1161/CIR.0b013e31829e8776. PMID 23741058.

[pmid21393391-15] Brown LM, Chen H, Halpern S, Taichman D, McGoon MD, Farber HW, Frost AE, Liou TG, Turner M, Feldkircher K, Miller DP, Elliott CG (2011). "Delay in recognition of pulmonary arterial hypertension: factors identified from the REVEAL Registry". Chest. 140 (1): 19–26. doi:10.1378/chest.10-1166. PMC 3198486. PMID 21393391.

[pmid12651053-16] Sun XG, Hansen JE, Oudiz RJ, Wasserman K (2003). "Pulmonary function in primary pulmonary hypertension". J Am Coll Cardiol. 41 (6): 1028–35. PMID 12651053.

[pmid21508423-17] Kahrilas PJ, Hughes N, Howden CW (2011). "Response of unexplained chest pain to proton pump inhibitor treatment in patients with and without objective evidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease". Gut. 60 (11): 1473–8. doi:10.1136/gut.2011.241307. PMID 21508423.

[pmid25133039-18] Badillo R, Francis D (2014). "Diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease". World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. 5 (3): 105–12. doi:10.4292/wjgpt.v5.i3.105. PMC 4133436. PMID 25133039.

[pmid1739240-19] Hoffman GS, Kerr GS, Leavitt RY, Hallahan CW, Lebovics RS, Travis WD, Rottem M, Fauci AS (1992). "Wegener granulomatosis: an analysis of 158 patients". Ann. Intern. Med. 116 (6): 488–98. PMID 1739240.

[pmid21374588-20] Falk RJ, Gross WL, Guillevin L, Hoffman GS, Jayne DR, Jennette JC, Kallenberg CG, Luqmani R, Mahr AD, Matteson EL, Merkel PA, Specks U, Watts RA (2011). "Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's): an alternative name for Wegener's granulomatosis". Arthritis Rheum. 63 (4): 863–4. doi:10.1002/art.30286. PMID 21374588.

[pmid27378039-21] Carmona EM, Kalra S, Ryu JH (2016). "Pulmonary Sarcoidosis: Diagnosis and Treatment". Mayo Clin. Proc. 91 (7): 946–54. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.03.004. PMID 27378039.

[pmid12803116-22] Yanardağ H, Pamuk GE, Karayel T, Demirci S (2002). "Bone marrow involvement in sarcoidosis: an analysis of 50 bone marrow samples". Haematologia (Budap). 32 (4): 419–25. PMID 12803116.

[JennetteFalk1997-23] Jennette, J. Charles; Falk, Ronald J. (1997). "Small-Vessel Vasculitis". New England Journal of Medicine. 337 (21): 1512–1523. doi:10.1056/NEJM199711203372106. ISSN 0028-4793.

[pmid23330816-24] Vaglio A, Buzio C, Zwerina J (2013). "Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss): state of the art". Allergy. 68 (3): 261–73. doi:10.1111/all.12088. PMID 23330816.

[pmid6366453-25] Lanham JG, Elkon KB, Pusey CD, Hughes GR (1984). "Systemic vasculitis with asthma and eosinophilia: a clinical approach to the Churg-Strauss syndrome". Medicine (Baltimore). 63 (2): 65–81. PMID 6366453.

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