PPIs and CAP, Revisited

In a retrospective, nested case-control study, the risk for community-acquired pneumonia was 29% higher with current use of a proton-pump inhibitor than with past use.

Some researchers have postulated that, by facilitating bacterial colonization of the stomach and upper intestine, suppression of gastric acid increases the risk for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most potent suppressors of gastric-acid secretion and are commonly prescribed — often without clear indications. Attempts to prove an association between PPI exposure and CAP have yielded inconsistent results. Now, researchers have conducted a retrospective, nested case-control study to explore this issue further.

Analysis of linked pharmacy and administrative databases from the New England Veterans Healthcare System yielded 71,985 patients who were newly prescribed PPIs between October 1997 and Septe…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

PPIs and CAP, Revisited

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Reviewing Author