CAG Clinical Affairs Committee. Community-acquired pneumonia and acid-suppressive drugs: position statement

Use of acid-suppressive drugs and risk of fracture: a meta-analysis of observational studies

PURPOSE

Previous studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding the association between the use of acid-suppressive drugs such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine 2 receptor antagonists (H(2)RAs) and fracture risk. We investigated this association using meta-analysis.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from inception through December 2010 using common key words. We included case-control, nested case-control, and cohort studies. Two evaluators independently reviewed and selected articles. We determined pooled effect estimates by using random-effects meta-analysis, because of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Of 1,809 articles meeting our initial inclusion criteria, 5 case-control studies, 3 nested case-control studies, and 3 cohort studies were included in the final analyses. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for fracture was 1.29 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-1.41) with use of PPIs and 1.10 (95% CI, 0.99-1.23) with use of H(2)RAs when compared with nonuse of the respective medications. Long-term use of PPIs increased the risk of any fracture (adjusted OR = 1.30; 95% CI, 1.15-1.48) and hip fracture risk (adjusted OR = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.09-1.66), whereas long-term H(2)RA use was not significantly associated with fracture risk.

CONCLUSIONS

We found possible evidence linking PPI use to an increased risk of fracture, but no association between H(2)RA use and fracture risk. Widespread use of PPIs with the potential risk of fracture is of great importance to public health. Clinicians should carefully consider their decision to prescribe PPIs for patients already having an elevated risk of fracture because of age or other factors.

Use of acid-suppressive drugs and risk of pneumonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Observational studies and randomized controlled trials have yielded inconsistent findings about the association between the use of acid-suppressive drugs and the risk of pneumonia. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize this association.

METHODS

We searched three electronic databases (MEDLINE [PubMed], Embase and the Cochrane Library) from inception to Aug. 28, 2009. Two evaluators independently extracted data. Because of heterogeneity, we used random-effects meta-analysis to obtain pooled estimates of effect.

RESULTS

We identified 31 studies: five case-control studies, three cohort studies and 23 randomized controlled trials. A meta-analysis of the eight observational studies showed that the overall risk of pneumonia was higher among people using proton pump inhibitors (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-1.46, I(2) 90.5%) and histamine(2) receptor antagonists (adjusted OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.09-1.36, I(2) 0.0%). In the randomized controlled trials, use of histamine(2) receptor antagonists was associated with an elevated risk of hospital-acquired pneumonia (relative risk 1.22, 95% CI 1.01-1.48, I(2) 30.6%).

INTERPRETATION

Use of a proton pump inhibitor or histamine(2) receptor antagonist may be associated with an increased risk of both community- and hospital-acquired pneumonia. Given these potential adverse effects, clinicians should use caution in prescribing acid-suppressive drugs for patients at risk.

Acid-suppressive drugs and community-acquired pneumonia

BACKGROUND

Acid suppression may increase the risk of community-acquired pneumonia. We investigated this association in the United Kingdom primary care system taking account of the potential for confounding by indication.

METHODS

We identified patients aged 20-79 years in The Health Improvement Network database with a new diagnosis of pneumonia between 2000 and 2005 (n = 7297). Cases were validated by manual review and compared with age- and sex-matched controls (n = 9993). Using unconditional logistic regression, we estimated the relative risk (RR) of pneumonia associated with current use of acid-suppressive drugs compared to nonuse.

RESULTS

Newly diagnosed community-acquired pneumonia was increased with current use of proton pump inhibitors (RR = 1.16 [95% confidence interval 1.03-1.31]) but not H2-receptor antagonists (0.98 [0.80-1.20]). An increased risk of pneumonia was evident only in the first 12 months of treatment with proton pump inhibitors. There was some evidence of a dose response. Among patients taking proton pump inhibitors for less than 1 year, the risk of community-acquired pneumonia was stronger when current use was for dyspepsia or peptic ulcer (1.73 [1.29-2.34]) than for gastroesophageal reflux disease or prevention of upper gastrointestinal injury associated with aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (1.22 [0.97-1.52]).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed a small increase in the risk of community-acquired pneumonia associated with current proton pump inhibitor use, particularly during the first 12 months of treatment and at higher doses. This may be due in part to the underlying indication.

Aspiration syndromes: 10 clinical pearls every physician should know

Aspiration syndromes are clinically and pathologically classified into three sets of disorders: (i) large airway mechanical obstruction caused by foreign bodies; (ii) aspiration pneumonitis; and (iii) aspiration pneumonia. In this article, we discuss the common clinical presentations, risk factors, radiographic features and methods of management of these disorders. We highlight recent recommendations and controversies surrounding the prevention of aspiration pneumonia in the critically ill patient. Finally, we review ethical dilemmas surrounding feeding and aspiration risk concerns in debilitated and demented patients.