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Background: Neuromodulators are considered potential therapeutic options for refractory gastro-oesophageal reflux-induced chronic cough. Aim: To compare the efficacy of gabapentin and baclofen in patients with suspected refractory gastro-oesophageal reflux-induced chronic cough. Methods: Two hundred and thirty-four patients with suspected refractory gastrooesophageal reflux-induced chronic cough, who failed an 8-week course of omeprazole and domperidone, were recruited into the open-labelled study and randomly assigned to receive either gabapentin (maximum daily dose of 900 mg) or baclofen (maximum daily dose of 60 mg) for 8 weeks as add-on therapy to the previous treatment. The primary end point was the successful rate of cough resolution; and the secondary end-points included cough sensitivity to capsaicin and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease questionnaire score and reported side effects. Results:One hundred and eleven patients in the gabapentin group and 106 in the baclofen group completed the study. The overall success rate for cough resolution was comparable (57.3% vs 53.0%, χ 2 = 0.357, P = 0.550) between the two groups.In parallel, cough sensitivity to capsaicin and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease questionnaire score decreased after treatment with either gabapentin or baclofen.However, gabapentin was associated with less frequent somnolence (20.5% vs 35.0%, χ 2 = 6.156, P = 0.013) and dizziness (11.1% vs 23.9%, χ 2 = 6.654, P = 0.010) than baclofen. Conclusions:Gabapentin and baclofen have similar therapeutic efficacy for suspected refractory gastro-oesophageal reflux-induced chronic cough. However, gabapentin may be preferable because of fewer side effects. Trial Register: http:// www.chictr.org/; No.: ChiCTR-ONC-13003066.Ran Dong and Xianghuai Xu contributed equally to this work.

of cough was added; (V) the etiology and management of chronic cough in children was introduced; (VI) a section on uncommon causes of chronic cough; and (VII) added unexplained cough [refractory cough, cough hypersensitivity syndrome (CHS)]. Introduction of methodology (I) The target population: patients with cough. (II) The target users: respiratory specialists from all levels of hospitals, physicians of internal medicine and TCM, general practitioners, pediatricians, and other health-care providers.