EDITORIAL

 

The Dark Side of the Long-Term Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Chronic Liver Disease

O lado negro da utilização crónica de inibidores da bomba de protões na doença hepática crónica

 

Samuel Raimundo Fernandes, Rui Tato Marinho

Serviço de Gastrenterologia e Hepatologia, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal

^* Corresponding author.

 

Keywords: Proton pump inhibitors, Dyspepsia, Cirrhosis,·Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Palavras-Chave: Inibidores da bomba de protões, Dispepsia, Cirrose,·Peritonite bacteriana espontânea

 

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most widely prescribed drugs in the world today. Accepted indications include an array of acid-related disorders such as peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux, and the prevention of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced ulcers. Despite little evidence of efficacy, PPIs are also frequently prescribed for other indications including functional dyspepsia and for the prevention of gastroduodenal side effects of polypharmacy. Alarmingly, up to two-thirds of PPI prescriptions in ambulatory patients may be inadequate [1–3].

In recent years, several observational studies have raised concern regarding the potential long-term side effects of PPIs, including acute and chronic kidney disease, hypomagnesemia, cardiovascular events, bone fractures, dementia, and infections such as Clostridium difficile colitis, bacterial pneumonia, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) [4, 5]. SBP is a well-known complication in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. Despite improvements in medical care with timely diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics, short-term mortality of SBP amounts to about 30% and increases to over 65% at 1 year without liver transplantation [6]. Therefore, means of reducing the rates of SBP in patients with cirrhosis are welcomed.

SBP is thought to result from bacterial translocation across the intestinal wall leading to infection of the ascitic fluid. Proliferation of bacteria in the ascitic fluid is favored in patients with cirrhosis by a dysfunctional immune system with low levels of immunoglobulins, opsonizing proteins, and complement [7]. Hypothetically, by increasing intragastric pH, PPIs facilitate proliferation of intestinal bacteria (i.e., bacterial overgrowth). Abnormal gastrointestinal motility is also common in patients with cirrhosis and may further be worsened by PPIs [8, 9]. Even more preoccupying is the fact that over 63% of prescriptions of PPIs in patients with cirrhosis may be inadequate [10]. At a time of growing concern over rising health care costs, substantial cost savings can be achieved by limiting inappropriate prescribing of PPIs according to the clinical guidelines [11].

In the current issue of the Portuguese Journal of Gastroenterology, Elzouki et al. [12] once again tackle the controversial issue of PPIs and infections, including SBP in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. They include 333 patients, most with alcohol and viral cirrhosis. It is noteworthy that the majority of patients were using PPIs (51.4%) and over 43% had no formal indication. The authors show a significant higher incidence of overall bacterial infections (38 vs. 13.6%, p = 0.0001) including SBP (25.7 vs. 10.5%, p = 0.0006) in patients using PPIs. However, it should be noted that PPI users were older and suffered from more comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic liver disease, although the later not significant), all potentially confounders known to be associated with an increased risk of infections [13]. Two recent meta-analyses, including mostly observational studies, have reached the same conclusions [14, 15]. PPIs were associated with an increased risk of overall bacterial infection (OR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.36–2.87) and SBP (OR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.46–3.06 and OR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.46–3.23).

However, as pointed out by most studies, correlation does not imply causation. Furthermore, even if the risk of overall infections may be higher, there does not appear to be a signal for increased mortality associated with PPI use. Currently, it remains unclear as to whether PPIs should be stopped in every patient with advanced cirrhosis and whether this translates in improved outcomes. Acid-related disorders are common in patients with liver cirrhosis [16]. Advanced age, Helicobacter pylori, and chronic intake of NSAIDs are known to play a key role in most cases of peptic ulcer disease. However, this may not always be the case in patients with cirrhosis where idiopathic ulcers appear to be more common and may be related to the chronic consumption of alcohol and portal hypertension [17]. Furthermore, evidence suggests that patients with liver cirrhosis and non-variceal gastrointestinal bleeding may have inferior outcomes than non-cirrhotic patients [16].

In conclusion, while mounting evidence suggests that PPIs are not as benign as previously thought, clearly, we should focus on improving the selection of patients who will gain a substantial clinical benefit from long-term PPI therapy. More high-quality prospective studies are needed in this area.

 

References

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Disclosure Statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

 

^* Corresponding author.

Prof. Rui Tato Marinho

Serviço de Gastrenterologia e Hepatologia

Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte

Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, PT–1649-035 Lisbon (Portugal)

E-Mail ruitatomarinho@sapo.pt

 

Received: April 19, 2018; Accepted after revision: April 26, 2018