Table of Contents
Common Questions
Chat with CodyMD
Cody's Chat with Patient
Cody's AI Summary
Top 3 AI Diagnosis List
Review by Dr Albert DiPiero
Resource Center
Testimonials
Share this Case Study
Case Study
Meet your host
Albert DiPiero, MD MPH FACP
I am a co-founder and the Chief Medical Officer at CodyMD and your host for this edition of Cody Grand Rounds. I have been a practicing physician and faculty member at medical schools for over 26 years.
About The AI Doctor Case Study
CodyMD is a partnership between Human Doctors and AI Doctors. Cody is an AI Doctor who helps thousands of people every day. At each Cody Grand Rounds, I select a real case and review it with Cody, the AI Doctor.
Each case is based on a real patient but has been modified to maintain privacy and to emphasize certain teaching points.
Common Questions
What causes a prolonged cough?
How is asthma diagnosed?
Can seasonal allergies cause a chronic cough?
What are common symptoms of GERD?
How can I alleviate a cough triggered by environmental factors?
Are there specific tests for allergy triggers?
What are common treatments for asthma?
Chat with CodyMD
Click the button below to initiate a conversation with CodyMD, your AI Doctor.
Cody's Chat with Patient
Below is a conversation transcript between the patient and our AI Doctor CodyMd.
Cody, the AI Doctor
Can you please tell me your health issue?
Patient
I have a prolonged cough.
Cody, the AI Doctor
My goal is to provide you with an accurate assessment and plan. Let's talk about your concerns regarding a prolonged cough. Can you describe the characteristics of your cough? For example, is it dry or productive? Does it occur throughout the day or more at specific times?
Patient
Sometimes it’s dry, sometimes it’s cold.
Cody, the AI Doctor
Coughs can be classified as either dry or productive. When did you first start experiencing this prolonged cough? For example, did it start a few days ago, a few weeks ago, or longer?
Patient
It is a few months now, but it’s not continuous.
Cody, the AI Doctor
A cough that has been persisting for a few months, even if not continuous, should be evaluated by a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment. Have you been diagnosed with any medical conditions? For example, asthma, COPD, or allergies?
Patient
No.
Cody, the AI Doctor
It's important to consider any underlying medical conditions that could be contributing to the prolonged cough. In what year were you born?
Patient
2000.
Cody, the AI Doctor
What is your sex?
Patient
Female.
Cody, the AI Doctor
The year of birth can help me understand the patient's age and provide better care. Is your prolonged cough getting worse, getting better, staying the same, or does it vary day to day?
Patient
Staying about the same.
Cody, the AI Doctor
Prolonged coughs that stay the same could be a sign of a chronic condition that may require further evaluation by a healthcare provider. How did your prolonged cough start? Did it start suddenly or gradually?
Patient
Gradually.
Cody, the AI Doctor
Prolonged coughs that develop gradually can be caused by various factors such as allergies, asthma, or even certain medications. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the severity of your prolonged cough, where 1 is no problem and 10 is very severe?
Patient
5 out of 10.
Cody, the AI Doctor
The severity of a prolonged cough can vary and is an important factor in determining the underlying cause. Have you noticed any specific triggers or factors that seem to make your prolonged cough better or worse? For example, does being in a dusty environment worsen your cough, or does drinking warm liquids help alleviate it?
Patient
It is triggered by dusty and cold environments and it gets better if I drink warm liquids.
Cody, the AI Doctor
It's common for coughs to worsen in dusty and cold environments and improve with warm liquids. Have you experienced any shortness of breath or difficulty breathing along with the cough?
Patient
Yes, a little, but only when I exercise.
Cody, the AI Doctor
Do you have a fever?
Patient
Nope, no fevers.
Cody, the AI Doctor
Do you have weight loss?
Patient
No, my weight is just fine.
Cody, the AI Doctor
Do you ever cough up blood?
Patient
No, never.
Cody, the AI Doctor
Do you use tobacco or any other drugs?
Patient
No, never.
Cody, the AI Doctor
Do you have seasonal allergies, to pollen for example?
Patient
Yes, I sometimes get a little runny nose and itchy eyes and some wheezing in the spring.
Cody, the AI Doctor
Do you have any reflux symptoms such as “heartburn” or “indigestion” or sour taste in your mouth?
Patient
Occasionally I do, but mostly after a large meal.
Cody's AI Summary
- You are a 24 year-old woman with a cough for a few months.
- Your cough can be both dry and productive, and is triggered by dusty and cold environments, but alleviated by warm liquids.
- The severity of your cough is moderate, rated at 5 out of 10.
- You have not been diagnosed with any underlying medical conditions, such as asthma or COPD.
- Additional symptoms include occasional shortness of breath, especially during exercise, but no fever, weight loss, or blood with your cough.
- There is a history of seasonal allergies and occasional reflux symptoms.
Top 3 AI Diagnosis List
Based on the information and conversations with Cody, we have prepared a top 3 AI Diagnosis List.
1. Asthma(40% probability)
A chronic condition that inflames and narrows the airways, causing symptoms like frequent coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath
2. Allergic rhinitis(30% probability)
An allergic reaction that causes sneezing, runny nose, and other similar symptoms, which can also contribute to a chronic cough
3. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)(30% probability)
A digestive disorder where stomach acid rises up through the food pipe and irritates the throat, which can cause chronic coughing, especially when lying down or after a large meal
Review by Dr Albert DiPiero
Dr. Albert DiPiero
In reviewing the patient’s history and symptoms, I prioritize the prolonged, intermittent cough of moderate severity, primarily triggered by environmental allergens such as dust and cold air. The cough is alleviated by warm liquids. The patient has occasional shortness of breath during physical exertion, a history of seasonal allergies, and occasional mild symptoms of GERD.
1. Asthma(60% probability)
The symptoms such as intermittent cough, wheezing during seasonal allergies, and exercise-induced shortness of breath strongly suggest mild to moderate asthma.
2. Allergic rhinitis(30% probability)
The congestion and runny eyes certainly suggest she is also has seasonal allergies, but this is not the primary condition since she experiences her cough and other symptoms year-around.
3. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)(10% probability)
Reflux symptoms, especially after large meals, can stimulate a chronic cough. But again, this is unlikely to be the primary factor in her condition.
Next Steps for Evaluation
Physical examination: detailed in-person physical examination focusing on the heart and lungs
Chest X-ray: to rule out any pulmonary pathology
Pulmonary Function Tests: to definitively diagnose asthma and assess the severity
Trial of antihistamine medications (cetirizine, loratadine): to assess if seasonal allergies contribute to the symptoms
Trial of PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor): to assess if GERD contributes to the cough
Potential Treatment Modalities
For Asthma: Inhaled corticosteroids and beta-agonists
For Allergic Rhinitis: Antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, and avoidance of identified allergens
For GERD: Lifestyle modifications and PPIs
Resource Center
Testimonials
CodyMD is a very precise and accessible app. My consultation with CodymMD is commendable and I highly recommend it for others to try CodyMD especially for assessment and consultation purposes.
TrustPilot Review
I was amazed at how fast my questions were answered with my info taken into consideration, not one generic answer. This site is truly brilliant and will benefit soo many people as far as time and money.
TrustPilot Review
Just loved getting the peace of mind that I’m not the only one that have had these issues and it’s not as bad as I thought.
TrustPilot Review
