PPIs Are the Most Effective Drugs to Reduce Risk for Upper GI Bleeding

Multiple studies have demonstrated the ability of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) to reduce the risk for upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in patients taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, or clopidogrel. To determine if this effect is also seen in general practice, investigators conducted a nested, case-control study involving 2049 patients with UGIB and 20,000 age- and sex-matched controls who were identified in The Health Improvement Network UK primary care database between 2000 and 2007. Records were reviewed to determine the use of drugs that increase the risk for UGIB as well as the use of acid-reduction therapy with PPIs, histamine-2–receptor antagonists (H₂RAs), or nitrates.

Current PPI use for >1 month ve…