| The Effect of a Proton-pump Inhibitor in Unexplained Chronic Cough Patients. |
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Joo Youn Yang, Ho Youn Lee, Nam Hee Kim, Youn Seup Kim |
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Department of Internal Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea. drys99@dankook.ac.kr |
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| 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. |
| Key Words:
Chronic cough, Gastroesophageal reflux, Proton pump inhibitor |
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