Use of proton pump inhibitors and cholangitis complicated with multi-drug resistant bacteria

BACKGROUND Multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) has rapidly spread worldwide and become a serious problem. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a class of commonly prescribed medications, but recent studies have suggested the increased risk of infection with MDRB in PPI users. We evaluated the association between PPI use and incidence of cholangitis with MDRB. METHODS Consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) between January 2010 and August 2019 were included in this retrospective study. The incidence of cholangitis with MDRB was compared between regular and non-regular PPI users. RESULTS A total of 1224 regular PPI users and 1528 non-regular PPI users were identified. There was no clinically significant difference in age and sex between the groups. Indication of ERCP was different between the groups. The number of ERCP sessions during the study periods was higher in regular PPI users. The incidence of cholangitis with MDRB was significantly higher in regular PPI users (3.0% vs 1.1%; P < .001). Multivariable-adjusted odds ratio for cholangitis with MDRB comparing regular PPI users to non-regular users was 2.19 (95% confidence interval 1.20-4.00; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS Regular PPI use was associated with a higher risk of cholangitis with MDRB.