On November 18 and 19, Barcelona hosted the Refractory Chronic Cough Summit 2025, an international meeting dedicated to refractory chronic cough (RCC), which brought together specialists from fields such as general and family medicine, allergology, pulmonology, otolaryngology, speech therapy, and physical therapy.
In Portugal, it is estimated that around 7% of the population lives with chronic cough, a condition that has a significant impact on quality of life and is still often under-recognized and under-treated. When coughing persists despite adequate treatment of potential causes, such as asthma or gastroesophageal reflux, we refer to it as refractory chronic cough—a condition with specific neurobiological mechanisms and clinical characteristics. In addition to the cough itself, this condition can cause sleep disturbances, vocal changes, social fatigue, difficulties at work, and even urinary incontinence, clearly reflecting the associated physical, emotional, and functional burden.
The Portuguese delegation at the Summit, represented by Nuno Neuparth (Immunoallergology, Professor of Physiopathology – NMS, Universidade Nova de Lisboa), Ana Fernandes (General and Family Medicine – USF D. Sancho I, ULS Lezíria) and Ana Luísa Oliveira (Physiotherapy – School of Health Sciences, University of Aveiro), highlighted the importance of a truly interdisciplinary approach. Throughout the meeting, the urgent need for a clear and consensual definition of CCR, simple diagnostic tools applicable in primary care, the importance of effective communication between professionals and people with chronic cough, ensuring consistent explanations, validation of suffering, and a more structured care pathway were discussed. The creation of multidisciplinary teams dedicated to CCR was also identified as an essential step in ensuring a coordinated and effective approach.
The joint presence of the three Portuguese professionals was a strong sign of unity and commitment to advancing this area, reinforcing the common intention to promote more training, raise awareness, and improve the clinical response to CKR in Portugal. This participation creates concrete opportunities for the development of joint initiatives between specialties and for a more integrated, informed, and patient-centered approach in a national context where chronic cough continues to affect thousands of people.