Abnormal oesophageal motility in patients with chronic cough

• Published in: Thorax 2003-08, Vol.58 (8), p.699-702
• Main Authors: Kastelik, J A, Redington, A E, Aziz, I, Buckton, G K, Smith, C M, Dakkak, M, Morice, A H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdomen; Adult; Aged; Ambulatory Care; Catheters; Chronic Disease; Circadian Rhythm; Cough; Cough - etiology; Cough - physiopathology; Diagnosis; Electrodes; Esophageal Motility Disorders - complications; Female; gastro-oesophageal reflux; Gastroesophageal reflux; Gastroesophageal Reflux - complications; Gastroesophageal Reflux - drug therapy; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Male; Manometry; Middle Aged; Motility; oesophageal motility disorders; Patients; Physiological aspects; Pressure; Software
• ISSN: 0040-6376; 1468-3296
• DOI: 10.1136/thorax.58.8.699

Background: Although gastro-oesophageal reflux is a recognised cause of chronic cough, the role of oesophageal dysmotility is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of abnormal oesophageal motility in a selected group of patients with chronic cough. Methods: Oesophageal manometry and 24 hour pH monitoring were performed in 43 patients with chronic cough, 34 of whom had symptoms suggestive of gastro-oesophageal reflux. Comparative manometric measurements were made in 21 healthy subjects. Results: Nine patients with chronic cough had normal manometry and 24 hour pH. Of the remaining 34 patients, 11 (32%) had abnormal manometry alone, five (15%) had abnormal 24 hour pH monitoring alone, and in 18 (53%) both tests were abnormal. Only one patient in the control group had manometric abnormalities. Conclusions: These results point to a previously unrecognised high prevalence of abnormal oesophageal manometry in patients presenting with chronic cough. Oesophageal dysmotility may therefore be important in the pathogenesis of cough in these patients.