title: Effect of an anti-reflux medical device in the control of deflation cough: A placebo-controlled comparative study with an antacid drug in chronic coughers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Deflation cough (DC), i.e. the cough-like expiratory expulsive efforts evoked by maximal lung emptying, is partially inhibited by prior intake of an antacid. We wished to compare the effects of an anti-reflux medical device (Gastrotuss(®)) and of a widely used antacid drug (Maalox(®)) on the number of expiratory thrusts evoked by maximal lung emptying in chronic cough patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty consecutive chronic cough outpatients also presenting DC attended the clinic on three separate occasions and were requested to inhale to near total lung capacity and then exhale maximally for at least 6 s. Trained investigators detected aurally the number of cough efforts evoked by maximal lung emptying prior to and 1, 5, 10, 30 e 60 min after administration of either Maalox(®), or Gastrotuss(®) or placebo. The liking of the administered agents was also rated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In control conditions, maximal lung emptying was consistently accompanied by the appearance of DC. The number of efforts was unchanged after placebo whereas it was markedly (P < 0.001) reduced 1-10 min following Maalox(®) and Gastrotuss(®) administration. The value of liking for Gastrotuss(®) was greater (P < 0.01) than those of Maalox(®) and placebo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pre-treatment with anti-reflux agents with a substantially different composition are equally effective in inhibiting DC. The liking of the two compounds used in the present experiments differed considerably and may be important to improve adherence to treatment in patients undergoing long-term therapy for reflux-related symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chellini
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lavorini
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Campi
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mannini
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. Electronic address: giovanni.fontana@unifi.it.
authors.forename: Giovanni A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Fontana
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000863:Antacids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008276:Magnesium Hydroxide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000863:Antacids; D004338:Drug Combinations; C013591:aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, drug combination; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide; D008276:Magnesium Hydroxide
keywords: Aluminium hydroxide; Chronic cough; Deflation cough; Magnesium alginate; Magnesium hydroxide; Reflux; Simethicone