Long term use of anti acid drug may increase risk of bladder cancer, finds Study

A nested case-control study was conducted within the Primary Care Clinical Informatics Unit Research database. There were 3,260 cases and 14,037 controls. Bladder cancer cases were identified and matched with up to 5 controls (based on age, sex, general practice, and date of registration).

Ranitidine, other histamine-2 receptor agonists, and proton pump inhibitors were identified from prescribing records. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using conditional logistic regression after adjusting for comorbidities and smoking.

The following findings were highlighted and noted-

1. There was evidence of an increased risk of bladder cancer in ranitidine users, compared with nonusers (fully adjusted OR = 1.22; 95% CI 1.06–1.40), which was more marked with use for over 3 years of ranitidine (fully adjusted OR = 1.43; 95% CI 1.05–1.94).
2. By contrast, there was little evidence of any association between proton pump inhibitor use and bladder cancer risk based on any use (fully adjusted OR = 0.98; 95% CI 0.88–1.11) or over 3 years of use (fully adjusted OR = 0.98; 95% CI 0.80–1.20).

As a result, the authors concluded that "in this large population-based study, the use of ranitidine particularly long-term use was associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. Further studies are necessary to attempt to replicate this finding in other settings."

doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001310