Seoul Asan’s Prof. Song Woo‑jeong Named Chair of International Chronic Cough Expert Committee

Breaking: Korean Allergy Expert Leads EU Task Force to redefine Chronic Cough

Seoul‑based Professor Song Woo‑jeong, a leading allergist at Asan Medical Centre, has been named chair of the European Respiratory Society’s (ERS) Chronic Cough Expert Statement Task Force. The appointment runs through July 2027.

why This Matters

The ERS, founded in 1990, represents more than 35,000 respiratory specialists across 160 countries, making it the world’s most influential lung‑health body. Professor Song’s prior work on the 2019 ERS chronic cough guideline positions him uniquely to steer the next phase of research.

Targeted Goals for 2025‑2027

over the next two years the task force will:

• Deepen global research collaborations.
• Develop a scientifically‑backed definition and classification system for chronic cough.
• Introduce a standardized coding framework for clinical use.
• Publish practical recommendations for everyday practice.

“Chronic cough has long been treated as a symptom of asthma, allergic rhinitis or reflux,” Professor Song explained.”Emerging neurobiology insights and novel therapeutics now support treating it as a distinct disease.”

did You Know? The International Classification of Diseases (ICD‑11) still lacks a dedicated code for chronic cough, hampering data collection and patient management.
Pro Tip: Clinicians should document cough duration (>8 weeks) and associated triggers to aid future coding efforts.

Key Facts at a Glance

Item	Details
Chair	Prof. Song Woo‑jeong, Asan Medical Center
Organization	European Respiratory Society (ERS)
Term	Now – July 2027
Focus	Definition, classification, coding & clinical guidelines for chronic cough

For more background on ERS initiatives, visit the official ERS website. The World Health Organization also highlights chronic respiratory conditions in its global health reports.

Do you think recognizing chronic cough as a standalone disease will improve patient outcomes? How might a unified coding system change research funding?

Evergreen Insights on Chronic Cough

Chronic cough, defined as a cough persisting longer than eight weeks, affects up to 10 % of the adult population worldwide. While often linked to asthma, rhinitis or reflux, recent studies suggest a neuro‑genic component that may respond to neuromodulators such as gabapentin.

Accurate classification is essential for epidemiological tracking, insurance reimbursement, and the progress of targeted therapies. Emerging biomarkers-like capsaicin cough reflex sensitivity-are under examination to differentiate cough phenotypes.

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