Gastric medications may increase risk of bacterial infection

New York: Researchers, including one of Indian-origin, have revealed that common gastric medications may increase the risk of bacterial infection.

It is said that people, who are using gastric acid suppression medications are at higher risk of bacterium infection that can cause diseases ranging from diarrhoea to life-threatening colon inflammation.

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 study 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.

Sahil Khanna, a gastroenterologist at US-based non-profit Mayo Clinic said, "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".

For the study, 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.

The study was published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

(With IANS inputs)