The effects of proton pump inhibitors during pregnancy on treatment of preeclampsia, and related outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

Objective: This systematic review evaluated the available evidence of the effects of PPIs during pregnancy on preeclampsia and related maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes.

Data sources: Five electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Global Medicus Index) were searched on 17 November 2023.

Study eligibility criteria: Randomized controlled trials involving pregnant women, using any class or dose of PPIs, were eligible.

Study appraisal and synthesis methods: Meta-analysis was conducted for all outcomes of interest, with random-effects models. Results were presented as risk ratios or mean difference. Quality assessment was performed using the Risk of Bias 2 tool, and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) assessment was completed to evaluate the certainty of the evidence. The study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023423673).

Results: Our search identified 3,879 records, which were screened by two authors independently. Nine reports (describing eight trials) met our eligibility criteria, however six trials were ultimately excluded from our analysis as women were only given PPIs immediately prior to Cesarean section for acid aspiration prevention. The two trials included in the meta-analysis evaluated the treatment of 177 women with diagnosed preeclampsia. For the primary outcomes, moderate-certainty evidence showed there is likely no effect of the use of PPIs on risk of HELLP syndrome (RR 1.21, 95% CI 0.37 - 3.99, I² = 0%) or perinatal mortality (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.36 - 1.79, I² = 0%), while there were insufficient data to meta-analyse all other primary outcomes, including eclampsia and neonatal mortality. No trials investigated PPIs for preventing preeclampsia.

Conclusions: Given the limited outcome data we are uncertain of the effect of PPIs in women with preeclampsia. Further trials are required to determine what (if any) effects PPIs might have for preeclampsia prevention or treatment.