Tuberc Respir Dis.  2006 Aug;61(2):137-142.

The Effect of a Proton-pump Inhibitor in Unexplained Chronic Cough Patients

• Yang JY
• Lee HY
• Kim NH
• Kim YS

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.

Keyword

Chronic cough; Gastroesophageal reflux; Proton pump inhibitor

MeSH Terms

Asthma
Cough*
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Humans
Lost to Follow-Up
Methacholine Chloride
Proton Pumps
Thorax
Methacholine Chloride
Proton Pumps

Figure

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  Figure 1 Algorithm of chronic cough study protocol, illustrating total number of patients evaluated and follow-up lossed.

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  Figure 2 Response of proton pump inhibitors treatment at 4weeks and 8weeks.

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  Figure 3 Response of proton pump inhibitors treatment on follow loss patients.

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