Proton pump inhibitors may contribute to progression or development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-A sequence symmetry analysis approach.

What Is Known And Objective: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), used to treat and prevent gastro-oesophageal conditions, are well-tolerated but have been associated with risk including pneumonia. The extent to which initiation of PPIs can contribute to other respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is largely unknown.

Methods: A sequence symmetry analysis (SSA) approach was applied to the Australian Department of Human Services, Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme 10% extract. Participants were aged 45 years and older and were dispensed PPIs (ATC Codes A02BC01, A02BC02, A02BC03, A02BC04 and A02BC05) and long-acting bronchodilators (LABDs) for COPD (ATC Codes R03BB04 (PBS Item Code 10509D and 08626B), R03BB05, R03BB06, R03BB07 and R03AC18 (PBS Item Code 05137J and 05134F)) between 2013 and 2019. The analysis included patients initiated on an LABD within 12 months before or after their first prescription of a PPI. The crude sequence ratio (cSR) was calculated as the number of patients prescribed their first LABD after starting a PPI divided by the number of patients prescribed their first LABD before starting a PPI. Calculation of the adjusted sequence ratio (aSR) accounted for prescribing trends over time in initiation of each of the medicines. A signal was identified where the aSR lower 95% confidence interval (CI) was greater than one.

Results And Discussion: Initiation of omeprazole was associated with a 29% increased risk of initiating a LABD (ASR = 1.29 95% CI 1.22-1.36). Initiation of esomeprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole or lansoprazole was associated with 25%, 15%, 8% and 8% increased risk, respectively.

What Is New And Conclusion: There is an established association between gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and COPD which has been confirmed by implementation of a sequence symmetry-based approach which demonstrated that PPI initiation is potentially associated with progression or exacerbation of COPD. The impact PPI use has directly on this association requires further investigation.