Characteristics and Treatments of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients Presenting With Persistent Hiccups: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Objectives Over the time of the pandemic, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has surprised us with a growing list of atypical presentations, one of which is persistent hiccups that last more than 48 hours. The aim of this review is to investigate the characteristics of COVID-19 patients presenting with persistent hiccups and explore treatments used to control persistent hiccups in such cases. Methods This scoping review was performed utilizing the methodological approach proposed by Arksey and O'Malley. Results Fifteen relevant cases were identified. All reported cases were males, aged between 29 and 72 years. More than one-third of the cases did not have symptoms of infection. All cases had a positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction, as well as lung involvement evident on chest imaging. The medications most frequently used for hiccups in the reported cases were chlorpromazine (6 cases, 83% success), metoclopramide (5 cases, 0% success), and baclofen (3 cases, 100% success). Conclusions In patients presenting with persistent hiccups during this pandemic, even in those lacking systemic or other manifestations of COVID-19 or pneumonia, clinicians are encouraged to consider COVID-19 as one of the differential diagnoses. In light of the findings of this review, it is recommended to include a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction test and a chest imaging as part of the workup for these patients. When considering treatment options, this scoping review shows that chlorpromazine has more favorable outcomes compared with metoclopramide for controlling persistent hiccups in COVID-19 patients.