People using gastric acid suppression medications may be at a higher risk of bacterium infection that can cause diseases ranging from diarrhoea to life-threatening colon inflammation, researchers, including one of Indian-origin, warned.
Infections by Clostridium difficile colitis (C-diff) is caused by disruption of normal, healthy bacteria in the colon, often as a result of antibiotics.
The findings suggest that patients who previously had a case of C-diff and receive gastric acid suppressants may be at increased risk of C-diff recurrence.
“The study found that use of gastric acid suppression medications are associated with a statistically significant increased risk of development of recurrent C-diff in patients with a prior episode of C-diff,” said Sahil Khanna, a gastroenterologist at US-based non-profit Mayo Clinic.