PPI use increases risk of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection

PPIs are frequently over-prescribed, and at least 50% of acid suppression medications (including H2RAs and PPIs) may be medically unnecessary. Increasing data suggest that iatrogenic gastric acid suppression is a potentially modifiable risk factor for recurrent CDI. Previous meta-analyses have evaluated the association between PPIs and recurrent CDI, however, these studies have their own limitations. Due to these limitations, and citing a lack of randomized trials, guidelines such as the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) state there is insufficient evidence for discontinuation of PPIs in patients with primary CDI as a measure for preventing recurrence and, consequently, provide no recommendation in this setting. To fill the knowledge gap researchers of America, conducted a study to evaluate the association between PPI use and recurrent CDI addressing prior methodologic limitations.

It was an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of data from MEDLINE and EMBASE. Researchers included 16 studies, comprising 57,477 patients with CDI, of whom 6870 (12%) received PPIs. They used a random-effects model to calculate summary (unadjusted) odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). They also performed a prespecified subgroup analysis to explore heterogeneity including study design, study quality, duration of follow-up, adjustment for confounders, and outcome definition.

Key findings of the study were:

♦ Researchers, upon evaluation found that the rate of recurrent CDI was 24% in patients treated with PPIs and 18% in those who were not.

♦ Upon meta-analysis that pooled unadjusted odds ratios, they noted a higher odds of recurrent CDI in patients who received PPIs than those who didn't (OR 1.69).

♦ They also noted a moderate heterogeneity between studies (I2 56%); however, a sensitivity analysis restricted to studies with 56 days of follow-up substantially reduced the heterogeneity (OR 1.59).

♦ Upon analysis that was restricted to multivariate studies and combined adjusted ORs also demonstrated higher odds of recurrent CDI in patients who received PPIs (OR 1.49).

The authors concluded, "We found significantly higher odds of recurrent CDI among users of PPIs that persisted across multiple sensitivity analyses. These results support stronger recommendations for PPI stewardship at CDI diagnosis".

For further information:

https://www.clinicalmicrobiologyandinfection.com/article/S1198-743X(21)00035-5/fulltext