The latest research based on health data from Nordic countries suggests that PPIs and stomach cancer are not linked. The study focuses on medicines used for heartburn and stomach ulcers, known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). As reported by The BMJ, the analysis found no evidence that taking these medicines increases the risk of stomach cancer.
Comparing patients with a control group
The study compared people diagnosed with stomach cancer with healthy individuals in a control group. Researchers tracked the use of proton pump inhibitors and accounted for factors such as age, smoking, and obesity. The research team included scientists from, among others, the Karolinska Institute. According to Karolinska Institutet, the findings did not indicate an association between the medicines and stomach cancer.
Researchers’ statement and BMJ publication
The authors noted that the results may matter for patients and clinical decision-making in healthcare. “This finding should be reassuring for patients who require long-term treatment with proton pump inhibitors and is valuable for healthcare services when making clinical decisions,” the researchers said in a press release. The results were also described by the BMJ Group. The study was published in BMJ.
