What are the risks of long-term PPI use for GERD symptoms in patients &gt; 65 years?

,; ,; ,; ,

Clinical Inquiries

What are the risks of long-term PPI use for GERD symptoms in patients > 65 years?

J Fam Pract. 2019 April;68(3):E18-E19

By

Jessica Devitt, MD

Corey Lyon, DO

Sarah Beth Swanson, MD

Kristen DeSanto, MSLS, MS, RD

PDF Download

EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWER:

The use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to control gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is significantly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as acute myocardial infarction and myocardial ischemia, especially with treatment longer than 8 weeks (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A, systematic review of randomized, controlled trials [RCTs]). This summary is based on data extrapolated from studies on all adults because there is limited evidence that specifically addresses patients older than 65 years.

Adults taking PPIs also appear to be at increased risk of Clostridium difficile infection, community-acquired pneumonia (CAP; with use for < 30 days), and fracture (SOR: B, systematic reviews of heterogeneous prospective and retrospective observational studies).

References

1. Sun S, Cui Z, Zhou M, et al. Proton pump inhibitor monotherapy and the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease: a meta-analysis. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2017;29:e12926.

2. Arriola V, Tischendorf J, Musuuza J, et al. Assessing the risk of hospital-acquired clostridium difficile infection with proton pump inhibitor use: a meta-analysis. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2016;37:1408-1417.

3. Lambert AA, Lam JO, Paik JJ, et al. Risk of community-acquired pneumonia with outpatient proton-pump inhibitor therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2015;10:e0128004.

4. Ngamruengphong S, Leontiadis GI, Radhi S, et al. Proton pump inhibitors and risk of fracture: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011;106:1209-1218.

5. American Geriatrics Society 2015 Beers Criteria Update Expert Panel. American Geriatrics Society 2015 Updated Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2015;63:2227-2246.

EVIDENCE SUMMARY

A 2017 meta-analysis of 16 RCTs examined the risk of cardiovascular events in 7540 adult patients taking PPIs for GERD (mean ages 45-55 years).¹ The primary outcome was cardiovascular events—including acute myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia, angina pectoris, cardiac failure, and coronary artery stenosis—and cardiac disorders.

Analysis of pooled data found that PPI use was associated with a 70% increase in cardiovascular risk (relative risk [RR] = 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-2.56; number needed to harm [NNH] = 241) when compared with controls (placebo, H₂ blocker, or surgery). A subgroup analysis found that PPI use for longer than 8 weeks was associated with an even higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events (6 trials, 2296 patients; RR = 2.33; 95% CI, 1.33-4.08; NNH = 67) when compared with controls. The meta-analysis wasn’t limited by heterogeneity (I² = 0).

C difficile infection risk is higherfor PPI users

A 2016 meta-analysis of 23 observational studies (19 case-control, 4 retrospective cohort; 186,033 patients) examined the risk of hospital-acquired C difficile infections in adults prescribed PPI for any indication.² PPI exposure varied from use at time of diagnosis or hospitalization to any use within 90 days. Of the 23 studies, 16 reported sufficient data to calculate the mean age for the patients which was 69.9 years.

The risk of C difficile infection was found to be higher with PPI use than no use (pooled odds ratio [OR] = 1.81; 95% CI, 1.52-2.14). Although a significant association was found across a large group, the results were limited by considerable heterogeneity (I² = 82%).

Risk of community-acquired pneumonia also increases with PPI use

A 2015 systematic review and meta-analysis of 33 trials (18 case-control, 10 cohort, 4 RCTs, and 1 case-crossover study) examined the risk of CAP in adult patients prescribed PPI for any indication for durations ranging from less than 1 month to > 6 months.³ The systematic review was distilled to 26 studies because of overlapping study populations. These 26 studies included 226,769 cases of CAP among 6,351,656 patients. The primary outcome was development of CAP, the secondary outcome was hospitalization for CAP.

PPI use, compared with no use, was associated with an increased risk of developing CAP (pooled OR = 1.49; 95% CI, 1.16-1.92) and an increased risk of hospitalization for CAP (pooled OR = 1.61; 95% CI, 1.12-2.31).

Extrapolation from studies on all adults suggests a significant link between proton pump inhibitors and higher risk of cardiovascular events— especially with treatment > 8 weeks.

In a subgroup analysis for age, patients older than 65 years were also found to have an increased risk of developing CAP with PPI use (11 trials, total number of patients not provided; OR = 1.33; 95% CI, 1.13-1.58). Despite the significant associations of PPI use with risk revealed in the primary, secondary, and subgroup analyses, the results were limited by marked heterogeneity, with an I² > 99%.

Continue to: Hip and vertebral fracture risks associated with PPIs

Evidence-based answers from the Family Physicians Inquiries Network