Chronic Cough Is Associated With Long Breaks in Esophageal Peristaltic Integrity on High-resolution Manometry

Background/Aims Breaks in the peristaltic contour on esophageal high-resolution manometry (HRM) may be associated with bolus retention in the esophagus. We evaluated the relationship between peristaltic breaks and esophageal symptoms, reflux exposure, and symptom outcomes in a prospective patient cohort. Methods Two hundred and eighteen patients (53.2 +/- 0.9 years, 68.3% female) undergoing both pH-impedance testing and HRM over a 5-year period were prospectively evaluated. Demographics, symptom presentation, acid exposure time, symptom association probability, and symptom burden scores were collected. Outcomes were assessed on follow-up using changes in symptom scores. Presence of long breaks (>= 5 cm) on HRM was assessed by a blinded author. Relationships between breaks, reflux parameters, presenting symptoms, and outcomes were assessed. Results Patients with long breaks were more likely to have cough as a presenting symptom than those without (43.4% vs 28.6%, P = 0.024); statistical differences were not demonstrated with other symptoms (P >= 0.3). Numbers of swallows with long breaks were higher in patients with cough compared to those without (2.4 +/- 0.3 vs 1.6 +/- 0.2, P = 0.021); differences were not found with other symptoms (P >= 0.4). Long breaks were not associated with age, gender, race, reflux burden, symptom association, or changes in symptom metrics (P >= 0.1 for all comparisons). Among patients with cough, the presence of long breaks predicted suboptimal symptom improvement with antireflux therapy (P = 0.018); this difference did not hold true for other symptoms (P >= 0.2). Conclusions Long breaks in esophageal peristaltic integrity are associated with cough. The presence of long breaks is associated with suboptimal benefit from antireflux therapy.