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Proton pump inhibitors and all-cause mortality risk among cancer patients

Krishnan A, Schneider CV, Walsh D

World journal of clinical oncology, 2025

1 citation

Abstract

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used, including among cancer patients, to manage gastroesophageal reflux and other gastric acid-related disorders. Recent evidence suggests associations between long-term PPI use and higher risks for various adverse health outcomes, including greater mortality.

Aim: To investigate the association between PPI use and all-cause mortality among cancer patients by a comprehensive analysis after adjustment for various confounders and a robust methodological approach to minimize bias.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used data from the TriNetX research network, with electronic health records from multiple healthcare organizations. The study employed a new-user, active comparator design, which compared newly treated PPI users with non-users and newly treated histamine2 receptor antagonists (H2RA) users among adult cancer patients. Newly prescribed PPIs (esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, or rabeprazole) users were compared to non-users or newly prescribed H2RAs (cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, or ranitidine) users. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Each patient in the main group was matched to a patient in the control group using 1:1 propensity score matching to reduce confounding effects. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results: During the follow-up period (median 5.4 ± 1.8 years for PPI users and 6.5 ± 1.0…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence.

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