Measurement of gastric emptying in gastroesophageal reflux-related chronic cough.
OBJECTIVE
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is one of the most common causes of chronic cough, but the mechanisms of GER-related cough are not well-understood. We tested the hypothesis that gastric emptying is delayed in patients with GER-related chronic cough.


METHODS
We studied 12 patients (7 women; mean age, 53 years; age range, 37 to 68 years) with GER-related chronic cough and a control group of 27 asymptomatic healthy volunteers (16 women; mean age, 37 years; age range, 18 to 62 years). Gastric emptying scintigraphy was performed, and the time at which 50% of the radiolabeled material had left the stomach (T(1/2)) was calculated.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference in T(1/2) values between healthy volunteers and subjects with GER-related cough (99 +/- 26 min vs 86 +/- 20 min, respectively; difference between the means, 13 min [95% confidence interval, -4 to 30 min]; p = 0.13).


CONCLUSIONS
Gastric emptying was not delayed in patients with GER-related chronic cough. The measurement of gastric emptying did not therefore provide further insights into the mechanisms of GER-related cough or clinically relevant information that would assist in patient management.
Kastelik
Jack A
JA
Academic Department of Medicine, University of Hull, Castle Hill Hospital, Castle Road, Cottingham, East Yorkshire HU16 5JQ, UK.
Jackson
Warren
W
Davies
Trevor W
TW
Wright
Graham A
GA
Redington
Anthony E
AE
Wedgwood
Kevin R
KR
Morice
Alyn H
AH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000502:physiology*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged