A Prospective Evaluation of Esophageal Testing and A Double-Blind, Randomized Study of Omeprazole in A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Algorithm for Chronic Cough

Abstract

Acid-related chronic cough was present in 26% (six of 23) of patients evaluated for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Esophageal testing does not reliably identify patients with acid induced chronic cough responsive to proton pump inhibitor therapy. We suggest that the best diagnostic and therapeutic approach, after excluding asthma and postnasal drip syndrome, is empiric treatment for 2 wk with a high dose proton pump inhibitor.