Abstract Body

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Chronic cough is a common reason for consultation in primary care, hence why family physicians need to manage its diagnosis and treatment. After considering and treating the main causes, other less common diagnosis need to be considered, requesting a chest radiograph and other tests depending on the suspected diagnosis.

Interstitial lung diseases are a heterogeneous group of pathologies that usually present themselves in the form of chronic cough and exertional dyspnoea. If suspected, a high-resolution CT scan (HRCT scan) needs to be requested by the general practitioner.

METHODS

Case presentation: A 74-year-old woman with a history of hypothyroidism and phobia treated with venlafaxine visited her family physician after 2 months of cough that had been treated without improvement, exertional dyspnoea, arthromyalgia and fever. She was sent to the emergency department, where pneumonia, Covid-19 and lung cancer were discarded in the following days. An interstitial lung disease was considered as the most likely diagnosis, with compatible images in the HRCT scan. At that time, the psychiatrist removed venlafaxine and cough improved.

RESULTS

Venlafaxine induced interstitial lung disease is a rare condition which turned to be our main diagnosis option, based on the compatible CT scan images and the clinical improvement when removing venlafaxine. This conclusion still needs to be confirmed with further studies.

CONCLUSION

A complete medical record, emphasizing in the history of exposure to toxic substances and drug-related diseases, is of utmost importance when considering the cause of chronic cough. Patients with interstitial lung diseases will benefit from an early diagnosis, which highlights the importance of early suspicion.