We included 19 studies (six paediatric, 13 adults). There was insufficient data to draw any conclusion from other therapies for cough associated with GORD. In adults treatment with PPI for cough associated with GORD is inconsistent and its benefit variable.

This review also highlights a large placebo and time period effect (natural resolution with time) of treatment for chronic cough. Using other outcomes, there was also no significant difference between PPI and placebo. In adults with cough and GORD, no significant difference was found in clinical cure using proton pump inhibitors (PPI) for cough and GORD. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) did not reduce cough and should not be used for cough in young children. Thickened feeds had an inconsistent effect. We were not able to combine results in children due to limited data. We obtained additional data from trialists. Nineteen studies fulfilled our predetermined criteria but only six could be combined (in meta-analysis). The objective of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of GORD treatment in children and adults with GORD and prolonged cough that is not related to an underlying respiratory disease, i.e. Cough in association with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is common in adults with chronic cough.

Gord treatment