Protracted hiccups due to severe erosive esophagitis: a case series.
BACKGROUND
Hiccups although a common annoyance of life, have been linked with significant morbidity and even death. There are numerous causes of prolonged hiccups, including diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Hiccups are reported to represent an atypical manifestation of gastroesophageal reflux disease.


METHODS
We report 4 cases of prolonged hiccups in patients who failed to respond to initial treatment with abortive neurologic medications and who subsequently improved on proton-pump inhibitors. Endoscopic examination revealed severe reflux esophagitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Hiccups are an atypical manifestation and may represent a more severe course of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Pooran
Nakechand
N
Division of Gastroenterology, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York, NY 11040, USA. boraalan@aol.com
Lee
David
D
Sideridis
Kostas
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006606:Hiccup / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors
D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors