Identifying Acid Reflux Cough with Exhaled Breath Tests
Author Information
Author(s): Hunt John, Yu Yuanlin, Burns James, Gaston Benjamin, Ngamtrakulpanit Lina, Bunyan Dorothy, Walsh Brian K, Smith Alison, Hom Stephanie
Primary Institution: University of Virginia
Hypothesis
The most relevant mechanistic component of acid reflux in chronic cough is when it rises to the level of the airway where acid can potentially be aspirated.
Conclusion
Patients whose cough responds to proton pump inhibition have transient exhaled breath condensate acidification with coughing episodes.
Supporting Evidence
- Exhaled breath condensate pH is significantly lower in chronic cough patients who respond to proton pump inhibitors.
- Healthy subjects rarely have low EBC pH values.
- Multi-sample EBC pH profiles can help identify patients likely to benefit from proton pump inhibitors.
Takeaway
Doctors can use breath tests to see if acid reflux is causing a cough, which helps them decide if a medicine will work.
Methodology
The study involved measuring exhaled breath condensate pH in patients with chronic cough after pharyngeal acid challenges and comparing profiles with responses to proton pump inhibitors.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in patient selection as subjects were recruited based on physician's intention to prescribe proton pump inhibitors.
Limitations
The study relied on subjective cough scoring and did not include esophageal pH probe testing.
Participant Demographics
The study included 59 subjects, with chronic cough patients aged 28 ± 23 years and healthy controls aged 35 ± 17 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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