Drugs against popular heartburn associated with serious diseases and cancer risks

Popular medications for heartburn have been badociated with serious health risks, including increased risk of stomach cancer, fatal cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney failure. Concerns concern the long-term use of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which were previously badociated with higher probabilities of premature death.

The results are detailed in a study from the University of Washington School of Medicine and Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health System, where researchers have linked the long-term use of these drugs to an increased risk of death. serious health problems. The results are of particular concern in light of the 15 million Americans who have been prescribed.

According to the study, the risks of cardiovascular and renal diseases, as well as stomach cancers, increased over time. this was true even in cases where the doses were low.

The study consisted in reviewing the medical data collected from the summer of 2002 to 2004. More than 214,467 adults who received a treatment for heartburn (IPP) or a new clbad of drugs called H2 blockers have been followed for a period of up to 10 years. The study revealed a 17% increase in the risk of death in more than 157,625 people on PPIs, compared to the group on H2 blockers.

Based on these data, the researchers estimated that there were 45 "excess" deaths per 1,000 population attributable to the long-term use of anti-PPI drugs. The drugs were linked to deaths resulting from cardiovascular disease, stomach cancer and chronic kidney disease.

Over 80% of PPI users took low doses, including those available for non-prescription purchase. Previous research has linked these drugs to other potentially serious health outcomes, including dementia, pneumonia and bone fractures.