Study: Acid Reflux Drug Increases Kidney Disease Risk
Findings from a pair of new studies suggest that using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to treat heartburn and acid reflux may increase patients’ risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
One of the studies, led by researchers at the State University of New York, Buffalo, followed 71,516 patients. Among them, 24,149 developed CKD between the years 2001 and 2008; 25.7% of these patients were treated with PPIs. Overall, those taking PPIs were found to be less likely to have vascular disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic obstructive kidney disease. PPI use, however, was associated with a 10% elevated risk of chronic kidney disease, and these patients were found to be at a 76% greater risk of premature death.
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The authors, who estimate that as many as two-thirds of patients on PPIs do not have a verified indication for the drug, say the findings suggest that healthcare providers must be better educated on the possible side effects of PPIs, including greater chronic kidney disease risk.
Research conducted by a Johns Hopkins-led team of investigators reached similar conclusions. Between the years 1996 and 2011, the team evaluated 10,482 adults with normal kidney function, finding that PPI users were anywhere between 20% and 50% more likely to develop chronic kidney disease in comparison to non-PPI users; which was true even after accounting for baseline differences between the groups. A second study that followed 240,000 patients from the years 1997 to 2014 garnered the same results, according to authors, who note that those using a different class of medications known as H-2 blockers did not appear to be at greater risk for kidney disease, and stressed that determining the potential unfavorable effects of proton pump inhibitors can help lead to better interventions for cutting down on the overuse of PPIs.
The findings from both studies are due to be presented at the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week 2015, being held Nov. 3-8 in San Diego, California.
—Mark McGraw
References:
1. Lazarus B. Proton Pump Inhibitor Use Is Associated with Incident Chronic Kidney Disease. Paper presented at: American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week 2015. November 3-8. San Diego, California.
2. Arora P. Proton Pump Inhibitors Are Associated with Increased Risk of Development of Chronic Kidney Disease. Paper presented at: American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week 2015. November 3-8. San Diego, California.