Use of proton pump inhibitors improves outcomes in mild acute pancreatitis: A nationwide cohort study

Previous studies showed a potential anti-inflammatory effect of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) as well as possible inhibition of pancreatic secretion. This presents the question of their possible use in acute pancreatitis (AP). Current clinical evidence does not address the role of PPI and the present review for possible therapeutic use and safety is lacking. Therefore, our study aims to address the role of PPI in the management of AP and their association with the different outcomes of AP. We queried the Diamond Network through TriNetX-Research Network. This network included 92 healthcare organizations. Patients with mild AP with Bedside Index of Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP) score of Zero regardless of etiology were divided into 2 cohorts; 1st cohort included patients on PPI, and 2nd cohort included patients not on any PPI. Patients with BISAP score equal to or more than 1 or on PPI prior to the study date were excluded. Two well-matched cohorts were created using 1:1 propensity-scored matching model between cohorts. We compared the incidence of intensive care unit admission, mortality, and other associated complications. A total of 431,571 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of those, 32.9% (n = 142,062) were on PPI, and 67% (n = 289,509) were not on any PPI. After propensity matching, the sample included 115,630 patients on PPI vs 115,630 patients not on PPI. The PPI group had a lower rate of mortality (3.7% vs 4.4%, P < .001), a lower rate of intensive care unit admission (3.9% vs 5.5%, P < .001), a lower rate of necrotizing pancreatitis (1.1% vs 1.9%, P < .001), a lower rate of Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (3.6% vs 4.9%, P < .001), a lower rate of respiratory failure (2.8% vs 4.2%, P < .001), and a lower rate of acute kidney injury (6.9% vs 10.1%, P < .001). There was no statistical difference in the rate of Clostridium difficile infection between the 2 cohorts (0.9% vs 0.8%, P = .5). The use of PPI in mild AP with a BISAP-score of zero is associated with reduced pancreatitis-related complications and improved mortality. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.