Chronic cough: a gastroenterology perspective.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review is to highlight recent work and provide recommendations on the approach for diagnosis and management of chronic cough in a gastroenterology clinic.


RESULTS
Chronic cough is a burdensome symptom affecting a large number of patients and contributes significant cost to the healthcare system. Recent work has shown that select patients may benefit from acid-suppressive therapy and even surgery when there is true pathologic evidence of reflux disease with cough. However, judicious use and proper interpretation of diagnostic testing for gastroesophageal reflux in the setting of cough is important to avoid unnecessary or inappropriate therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic cough remains a vexing problem for many physicians, including gastroenterologists. It is important that physicians approach refractory cough in a multidisciplinary manner. Future research is needed to better understand the likely central hypersensitivity response mediating reflux-related cough and potential alternative approaches to therapy.
aDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology bCenter for Healthcare Studies, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Andrew J
AJ
Gawron
Peter J
PJ
Kahrilas
John E
JE
Pandolfino
D000863:Antacids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005762:Gastroenterology; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000863:Antacids; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors