Prediction of therapeutic efficacy of gabapentin by Hull Airway Reflux Questionnaire in chronic refractory cough

Background: Gabapentin is recommended for the treatment of chronic refractory cough (CRC). This study aims to identify its therapeutic predictors in a prospective clinical study. Methods: A total of 179 patients with CRC were treated with gabapentin. Prior to the therapy, all patients were assessed by Hull Airway Reflux Questionnaire (HARQ) and inhaled capsaicin challenge. When the treatment ended and cough resolution was confirmed, a stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the therapeutic predictors for gabapentin and to establish the prediction equation. Results: Gabapentin treatment achieved a therapeutic success rate of 66.48%. HARQ scores were significantly higher in responders than non-responders to gabapentin (29.79 ± 9.58 versus 21.95 ± 7.83, t = –3.685, p