Duration of Using Proton Pump Inhibitors as a Risk Factor of Hepatic Encephalopathy in Patients with Cirrhosis

In patients with cirrhosis use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may increase the risk of infection including spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Also, in some studies PPIs usage had significant relationship with the severity of cirrhosis and development of hepatocellular carcinoma. In recent studies the relationship between PPIs usage and hepatic encephalopathy had been considered. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between PPIs and hepatic encephalopathy for investigating their effects in the treatment of patients with cirrhosis.
In this study, 61 patients with liver cirrhosis were evaluated. The patients were followed up in two groups: patients with hepatic encephalopathy and patients with other complications.
PPIs usage and also the type and dosage of these drugs were not statistically different between the two groups. The duration of PPIs usage in the patients with hepatic encephalopathy was 23 ± 5.72 months and in the second group was 13.04 ± 3.061 months (p = 0.039).
In patients with cirrhosis, PPIs consumption for a long period, increases the risk of hepatic encephalopathy.