Gastric medications may up risk for bacterial infection

New York March 28 (IANS) People using gastric acid suppression medications may be at a higher risk of bacterium infection that can cause diseases ranging from diarrhoea to life-threatening colon inflammation researchers including one of Indian-origin warned.

Infections by Clostridium difficile colitis (C-diff) is caused by disruption of normal healthy bacteria in the colon often as a result of antibiotics.

The findings suggest that patients who previously had a case of C-diff and receive gastric acid suppressants may be at increased risk of C-diff recurrence.

The study found that use of gastric acid suppression medications are associated with a statistically significant increased risk of development of recurrent C-diff in patients with a prior episode of C-diff said Sahil Khanna a gastroenterologist at US-based non-profit Mayo Clinic.

For the study published in JAMA Internal Medicine the team conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 studies with 7 703 patients with C-diff and 1 525 of these developed recurrent C-diff.

The researchers analysed gastric suppression medications including proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole and histamine 2 blockers such as ranitidine which are commonly prescribed and consumed over-the-counter medications for gastroesophageal reflux disease peptic ulcer disease or dyspepsia.

The results showed that the rate of recurrent C-diff in patients with gastric suppression was 22.1 per cent compared to 17.3 per cent in patients without gastric acid suppression.

Thus it may be reasonable to re-evaluate the need for these medications in patients with C-diff Khanna noted.

--IANS
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