Background
A persistent cough that is refractory to treatment is an entity that is associated with significant social, psychological, and physical morbidity, yet there is little understanding of how these factors affect the individual.

Aim
To systematically search and synthesise findings from peer reviewed qualitative studies describing the experiences of those living with chronic cough.

Methods
A systematic search identified all studies that used qualitative methodology to report on the experiences of adults living with chronic cough and a thematic synthesis of the first-hand narratives was undertaken. Key themes in relation to personal perspectives and experiences of living with chronic cough were identified and grouped into analytical themes.

Results
Six studies met the inclusion criteria. The thematic synthesis generated 3 analytical themes (i) ?It?s just a cough? (ii) ?Constant cough and constant worry? and (iii) ?no light at the end of the tunnel? highlighting the biopsychosocial nature of chronic cough. Chronic cough is a heterogeneous experience that may appear idiosyncratic, completely consuming the lives of those living with it.

Conclusion
This is, to our knowledge, the first qualitative synthesis reporting on the perceptions and experiences of adults living with chronic cough. It draws attention to the paucity of literature utilising qualitative methodology to explore the experience of living with chronic cough. We highlight the missing voice of people living with chronic cough in the contemporary literature. There is a requirement for research exploring the narratives of those living with it, to gain an understanding of the condition beyond simple quantification