Appropriateness of proton pump Inhibitor therapy in patients with cirrhosis: a retrospective study

Introduction

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly prescribed for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or prophylaxis of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin-induced gastric damage. However, their prolonged use in cirrhotic patients has been linked to complications like spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and hepatic encephalopathy (EE).

Aim

To evaluate the appropriateness of PPI therapy in patients with cirrhosis.

Materials and Methods

We reviewed medical records of 209 cirrhotic patients admitted to our gastrointestinal ward (December 2021-December 2022). Demographics, clinical characteristics, PPI use indications, and incidence of EE and SBP were assessed.

Results

The median age was 69 years, and 74.4% were males. Main reasons for hospitalization were hepatocellular carcinoma (n=63, 28.7%), elective diagnostic-therapeutic procedures (n=63, 28.7%), non-liver-related events (n=54, 24.7%), and acute decompensation (n=39, 17.7%). Etiology of liver disease was alcohol in 91 patients (41.6%), virus-related in 77 (35.1%), and metabolic-associated in 30 (13.7%). The median MELD-Na score was 10 (8-14). At admission, 145 patients (66.2%) were on PPIs: of these, 42 patients (29.0%) had confirmed GERD, 12 (8.3%) had esophagitis ≥grade B, and 27 (18.6%) were on aspirin with bleeding risk-factors. Overall, inappropriate PPI use was observed in 74 patients (44.1%). Patients on PPIs were older, with higher MELD-Na and creatinine, and lower hemoglobin and Na compared to those not on PPIs (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that PPI use was independently associated with older age (OR 1.03, IC95% 1.01-1.07) and lower hemoglobin (OR 0.82, IC95% 0.70-0.97). During a median follow-up of 18 months, the incidence of EE and SBP did not differ between PPI users and non-users.

Conclusions

A significant proportion of patients with cirrhosis is inappropriately prescribed PPIs. Although this did not correlate with major liver-related events in the short term, proper PPI prescription education is crucial to prevent potential long-term consequences.