The Effect of a Proton-pump Inhibitor in Unexplained Chronic Cough Patients.
10.4046/trd.2006.61.2.137
- Author:
Joo Youn YANG
1
;
Ho Youn LEE
;
Nam Hee KIM
;
Youn Seup KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea. drys99@dankook.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Chronic cough;
Gastroesophageal reflux;
Proton pump inhibitor
- MeSH:
Asthma;
Cough*;
Gastroesophageal Reflux;
Humans;
Lost to Follow-Up;
Methacholine Chloride;
Proton Pumps;
Thorax
- From:Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
2006;61(2):137-142
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested an association between chronic cough and gastroesophageal reflux. Our study aimed to assess the utility of a proton-pump inhibitor in unexplained chronic cough patients. METHODS: Patients with chronic cough of unknown etiology were evaluated using a chest x-ray, methacholine challenge test, and an empirical trial of postnasal drip therapy. After excluding other potential causes of the cough, forty patients were included in the study and treated for 8 weeks with a proton-pump inhibitor. RESULTS: Eleven and three patients in the first and second 4 weeks were lost to follow-up, leaving twenty-six patients finally included in the study. Of these patients, two were unimproved, eight partially responded to the proton-pump inhibitor and sixteen responded completely after the 8 week treatment. CONCLUSION: We suggest that empirical treatment with a proton pump inhibitor in all patients with persistent cough, which is not secondary to asthma or postnasal drip syndrome, represents a practical and simple approach to this ailment.
