No need to worry! PPI use safe even in long term, says journal Gastroenterology

Delhi: A recent study has put to rest all the concerns regarding the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI).

The study, published in the journal Gastroenterology, has found that the proton pump inhibitors (PPI) use is not associated with any adverse events when used for 3 years. However, it did increase the risk of enteric infections. PPIs are used for the treatment of acid-related disorders.

There have always been concerns surrounding the use of PPIs. Some recent studies have shown it to be associated with an increased risk of serious adverse events in the long-term including pneumonia, hip fracture, dementia, enteric infections (including Clostridium difficile), cerebrovascular events, chronic renal failure, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and mortality.

Also Read: Warning! PPI use linked to premature death from CVD, cancer: BMJ

Paul Moayyedi, The Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, ON, and colleagues aimed to confirm these findings in an adequately powered randomized trial.

For the purpose, they compared the safety of proton pump inhibitors(PPI) use (pantoprazole 40 mg once daily) with placebo in 17,600 patients aged ≥65 years with stable coronary or peripheral artery disease (78% men; 23% smokers).

In a large prospective, randomized, controlled study, the safety of proton pump inhibitors(PPI)use (pantoprazole 40 mg once daily) was compared with placebo in 17,600 patients aged ≥65 years with stable coronary or peripheral artery disease (78% men; 23% smokers).

Participants were also randomly assigned to groups that received rivaroxaban (2.5 mg twice daily) with aspirin (100 mg once daily), rivaroxaban (5 mg twice daily), or aspirin (100 mg) alone. they then collected data on the development of pneumonia, Clostridium difficile infection, other enteric infections, fractures, gastric atrophy, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive lung disease, dementia, cardiovascular disease, cancer, hospitalizations, and all-cause mortality every 6 months. During a median follow-up of 3 years, results were as follows: