A new study from Sweden suggests that some popular medications used to treat heartburn might increase the risk of kidney problems over time.
The research was done by scientists at Karolinska Institutet and followed nearly 300,000 people for up to 15 years. The goal was to see how these medications affect kidney and heart health in the long run.
The focus was on drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which include common medications like omeprazole.
These drugs are often prescribed to treat acid reflux, stomach ulcers, and other conditions caused by too much stomach acid. PPIs are good at protecting the stomach lining, but there have been concerns about their safety when used for many years.
The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, compared people who used PPIs with those who used a different type of acid-reducing drug called H2 blockers.
The research team used a method called “process mining” to track how people’s health changed over time. This approach allowed them to map out what diseases developed after people started taking these medications.
They found that people who used PPIs were more likely to develop chronic kidney disease than those who took H2 blockers.
Although PPIs weren’t directly linked to heart problems, the study showed that kidney disease caused by PPIs could raise the risk of heart-related issues later on. In short, the medications might not damage the heart directly, but by harming the kidneys, they still increase heart risks.
The study also found that people taking PPIs had a higher chance of dying from any cause compared to people taking H2 blockers. The researchers believe this may be because PPI users were often in worse health to begin with and also more likely to develop kidney problems over time.
One of the lead researchers, Kaile Chen, said the study shows how thinking of disease as a journey rather than a single event can help doctors better predict and treat illnesses. By looking at real-life data over many years, they hope to help patients and doctors make better decisions.
The research used health records from the Stockholm region, collected through a project called SCREAM (Stockholm CREAtinine Measurements). The scientists adjusted for factors like age, gender, other illnesses, kidney function, and use of other medications, to make sure the comparisons were fair.
Even though the study is based on observational data—which means it can’t prove that PPIs cause kidney disease—it still raises important questions. The researchers say that more clinical trials are needed to confirm the findings and provide clearer guidance on how to use these medications safely.
In summary, while PPIs are helpful for treating stomach issues, using them for a long time may come with hidden risks. People taking these medications should talk with their doctors about how long they really need to use them and whether there are safer options available.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about drug that prevents kidney failure in diabetes, and drinking coffee could help reduce risk of kidney injury.
For more information about kidney health, please see recent studies about foods that may prevent recurrence of kidney stones, and common painkillers may harm heart, kidneys and more.
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