Validation of Peptest for the detection of reflux in cough

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Validation of Peptest™ for the detection of reflux in cough: induced cough in normal volunteers.

  • IRAS ID

    154889

  • Contact name

    Alyn Morice

  • Contact email

    a.h.morice@hull.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Hull and East Yorkshire Research and Development Department

  • Research summary

    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. 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 reflux6. We have detected pepsin in expectorated saliva during episodes of cough, apparently supporting a diagnosis of airways reflux7. 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

  • REC name

    Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    14/YH/1026

  • Date of REC Opinion

    16 Jul 2014

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion