OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical features, diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux induced cough (GERC).

METHODS

The continuous ambulatory esophageal pH measurement was performed for 24 hour in 41 cases with chronic cough who had normal chest roentgenographic presentation, negative histamine provocation test and no abnormality of nasal cavity. The symptom association probability (SAP) was adopted to analyze the correlation of cough with gastroesophageal reflux. The anti-reflux treatment was given for 12 weeks to those patients with Demeester score>>or= 14.72 and/or SAP>>or= 75%.

RESULTS

Twenty six out of 41 cases were diagnosed as patients with gastroesophageal reflux. The cough was completely cured in 12 cases after antireflux treatment. The SAP of cough in this cured group (proximal probe 0.75 +/- 0.21, distal probe 0.91 +/- 0.12, respectively) was significantly higher than that of patients who failed in response to antireflux treatment (proximal probe 0.36 +/- 0.31, distal probe 0.47 +/- 0.30, respectively, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The gastroesophageal reflux may be an independent factor which could induce chronic cough. Not only the frequency and severity of gastroesophageal reflux but also the SAP were helpful in making the diagnosis of GERC. Satisfied effect was achieved after sufficient anti-reflux treatment in patients with GERC.