PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - C Guelaud
AU  - T Similowski
AU  - JL Bizec
AU  - J Cabane
AU  - WA Whitelaw
AU  - JP Derenne
TI  - Baclofen therapy for chronic hiccup
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.95.08020235
DP  - 1995 Feb 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 235--237
VI  - 8
IP  - 2
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/8/2/235.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/8/2/235.full
SO  - Eur Respir J1995 Feb 01; 8
AB  - Chronic hiccup is a rare but potentially severe condition, that can be symptomatic of a variety of diseases, or idiopathic. Many therapeutic interventions have been reported, most often as case reports. Among other drugs, baclofen has been suggested as a therapy for chronic hiccup. In a large series of patients, we have evaluated its therapeutic position. In patients with chronic hiccup, defined as hiccup spell or recurring hiccup attacks lasting more than 7 days, investigation of the upper gastro-oesophageal tract (fibroscopy, manometry, and pH monitoring) was systematically performed. Most patients had tried numerous drugs in the past, without success. Baclofen was used as a first treatment in patients without evidence of any gastro-oesophageal disease (n = 17), and was undertaken only after full treatment of such disease (n = 55) had failed to solve the hiccup problem (n = 20). Baclofen has, therefore, been administered to 37 patients with chronic hiccup (average duration 4.6 yrs). Baclofen produced a long-term complete resolution (18 cases) or a considerable decrease (10 cases) of hiccups in 28 of the 37 patients. There was no significant difference between patients with or without gastro-oesophageal disease. We conclude that so-called idiopathic chronic hiccup often results from gastro-oesophageal abnormalities. Also, if controlled studies confirm our encouraging results, baclofen can be a major element in the treatment of chronic hiccup that is idiopathic, or that cannot be helped by treatment of gastro-oesophageal diseases.