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Validation of Peptest™ for the Detection of Reflux in Cough

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Cough
Interventions
Other: Induction of cough with inhaled citric acid
Procedure: Peptest™ analysis of saliva pepsin
Diagnostic Test: Peptest™
Registration Number
NCT03851393
Lead Sponsor
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Brief Summary

Chronic cough is a common presenting problem which has a significant impact on quality of life. Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is a common cause of chronic cough and reflux of stomach contents into the airways has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of respiratory diseases. Clinical history in patients with suspected reflux can aid in the diagnosis but traditional investigations for GOR including 24hr oesophageal pH monitoring or endoscopy are not reliable diagnostic tools since the reflux may be non acidic.

The detection of pepsin in the sputum, saliva or bronchial biopsy has been found to be an accurate marker of reflux into the airways. Pepsin is solely produced by parietal cells in the stomach. The presence of pepsin in the upper airways therefore indicates reflux. Studies have demonstrated that pepsin was frequently found in laryngeal biopsies and sputum of patients with signs and symptoms of airways reflux and that Nissen fundoplication resulted in a decrease in pepsin detection alongside an improvement in symptoms. The Peptest™ lateral flow device has been shown to be effective in the detection of pepsin in sputum and saliva of patients with chronic cough and gastro-oesophageal reflux. The investigators have detected pepsin in expectorated saliva during episodes of cough, apparently supporting a diagnosis of airways reflux. Critics, however, have suggested that the act coughing itself is responsible for the reflux.

This study aims to identify if cough induced by inhaled citric acid in healthy adult volunteers leads to detectable pepsin in expectorated saliva.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria
  • A negative score for airway reflux (HARQ score <13).
  • Provision of informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Participants with a positive score for airway reflux (HARQ score >13).
  • Chronic respiratory disease.
  • Acute gastro-respiratory illness at the time of the study.
  • Participants who will be physically unable to undergo sputum collection or cough induction.
  • Those who are unwilling to undergo cough challenge and induction of cough.
  • Smoking or consumption of food, caffeinated or carbonated beverages for 30 minutes prior to sample collection.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Peptest™ analysis of saliva pepsinInduction of cough with inhaled citric acidInduction of cough with inhaled citric acid and measurement of saliva pepsin following citric acid cough challenge using the peptest lateral device
Peptest™ analysis of saliva pepsinPeptest™ analysis of saliva pepsinInduction of cough with inhaled citric acid and measurement of saliva pepsin following citric acid cough challenge using the peptest lateral device
Peptest™ analysis of saliva pepsinPeptest™Induction of cough with inhaled citric acid and measurement of saliva pepsin following citric acid cough challenge using the peptest lateral device
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
level of pepsin in saliva following a citric acid cough challenge3 months

detecting the levels of pepsin in saliva following Citric acid induced cough

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
normal range of saliva pepsin3 months

record normal range of saliva pepsin following citric acid cough challenge

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hull Clinical Trials Unit, Respiratory academic department

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Cottingham, Yorkshire, United Kingdom

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