Association Between Proton Pump Inhibitors and Asthma: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) Use: A Cross-Sectional Study of PERSIAN Guilan Cohort Study

Background and Aims

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used extensively in the treatment of patients with upper gastrointestinal disorders. In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of PPI consumption and related factors in the Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran (PERSIAN) Guilan Cohort study (PGCS) population.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study form the PGCS, and investigated 10,520 participants for PPI consumption, which were divided into two groups: users and nonusers. Demographical data, clinical characteristics, and PPI types were recorded. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 and GraphPad Prism version 9, and a significance level of 0.05 was considered.

Results

The prevalence of PPI use in the overall participants was 4.8%, and it was higher in females compared to males (6.1% vs. 3.3%). According to the regression analysis, being in the overweight category was associated with a 26% lower likelihood of PPI use (p = 0.021). Low physical activity was linked to a 1.72-fold higher odds of PPI consumption (p < 0.001). Individuals with reflux, multiple underlying diseases, and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) had significantly higher odds ratios for PPI consumption (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study highlights the concerning trend of increasing PPI use and identifies low physical activity, reflux, multiple underlying diseases, and NSAID use associated with higher risk of PPI use. It emphasizes the need for caution in prescribing PPIs and raising awareness among both healthcare providers and patients about the potential risks and side effects.

Causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and chronic obstructive respiratory disease: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

Numerous observational studies have posited that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) might amplify the risk of chronic airway conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Yet, a definitive causal link remains to be established. To this end, we utilized a two-sample Mendelian randomization approach (MR) to investigate the potential causal dynamics between GERD and these chronic obstructive respiratory diseases.

METHODS

Using a two-sample bidirectional MR, we explored the causal influence of GERD on the risks of developing COPD and asthma, drawing on aggregated genome-wide association study data from European cohorts.

RESULTS

Our analysis elucidated a notable causal relationship, with individuals genetically inclined towards GERD exhibiting a significantly elevated propensity to develop COPD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.520, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.376-1.680, P = 2.173 × 10-16) and asthma (OR = 1.420, 95 % CI 1.340-1.504, P = 1.269 × 10-32). The absence of heterogeneity and pleiotropy was confirmed through the Cochran Q test, funnel plots, MR-Egger intercept test, and MR-PRESSO. Directional causality was further substantiated by Steiger testing. Conversely, reverse MR analyses did not identify a significant causal pathway between COPD or asthma and GERD onset.

CONCLUSION

This investigation substantiates a robust positive correlation between GERD and increased risks for COPD and asthma, laying a foundational basis for incorporating GERD management into preventive and therapeutic strategies for these chronic obstructive respiratory diseases.

Elevated frequency and severity of asthma in patients with hiatal hernia: A retrospective study

Hiatal Hernia (HH) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been found to be associated with respiratory conditions, such as pulmonary fibrosis. However, their association with asthma remains ambiguous. Thus, the present cross-sectional, retrospective, monocentric study aimed to investigate the prevalence of asthma among patients with HH, evaluate its severity in these patients, and screen for associated respiratory symptoms. Additionally, the present study explored the association between the prevalence of asthma and various parameters, including sex, GERD medications and symptoms. For this purpose, a retrospective study, conducted at one central university medical center from January, 2020 to May, 2023, included patients with HH identified on a computed tomography scan. Patients were contacted and evaluated using structured questionnaires. Asthma-free patients underwent assessment for respiratory symptoms indicative of asthma using a validated questionnaire from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. In patients with asthma, disease severity was assessed using the Global Initiative for Asthma symptom control criteria. The results revealed that out of 17,374 scans, 1,308 (7.53%) were positive for HH. Among the 453 cases eligible for analysis in the present study, 67 (14.79%) were diagnosed with asthma, of which 28 (41.79%) were diagnosed with uncontrolled asthma. Among the asthma-free patients, 136 (35.23%) reported at least one unspecified respiratory symptom. In the patients with HH, sex and GERD exhibited showed no association with asthma (P=0.07 and P=0.11, respectively). However, patients taking GERD medications exhibited a higher prevalence of asthma (P=0.03). On the whole, the present study demonstrates that the prevalence of asthma in patients with HH appears to be elevated. Hence, an ambivalence arises as regards the presence of a HH potentially associated with poorly controlled asthma and GERD medication potentially exacerbating asthma.

Unravelling vagal hypersensitivity in chronic cough: A distinct disease

Chronic cough (CC) is a common but poorly understood disease that has a negative impact on quality of life. For years, clinicians have been trying to find the underlying diagnosis and using existing disease models to describe the patients' illness. This presents a confusing picture of CC. Most patients with CC present with hypersensitivity of the cough reflex, which is characterised by laryngeal paraesthesia and an increased response to the tussive stimuli or an innocuous stimulus that would not trigger coughing in healthy people. Recently, it has been proposed that CC is a unique disease characterised by vagal hypersensitivity that projects to the central nervous system altering responsiveness. The evidence supports the hypothesis that CC is primarily a neurological disorder, consisting of different phenotypes.

Individualized prevention of proton pump inhibitor related adverse events by risk stratification

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly used for gastric acid-related disorders, but their safety profile and risk stratification for high-burden diseases need further investigation. Analyzing over 2 million participants from five prospective cohorts from the US, the UK, and China, we found that PPI use correlated with increased risk of 15 leading global diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, diabetes, respiratory infections, and chronic kidney disease. These associations showed dose-response relationships and consistency across different PPI types. PPI-related absolute risks increased with baseline risks, with approximately 82% of cases occurring in those at the upper 40% of the baseline predicted risk, and only 11.5% of cases occurring in individuals at the lower 50% of the baseline risk. While statistical association does not necessarily imply causation, its potential safety concerns suggest that personalized use of PPIs through risk stratification might guide appropriate decision-making for patients, clinicians, and the public.

Association between proton pump inhibitors use and risk of asthma in Korea: A prevalent new-user cohort study

There have been conflicting mechanisms that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may promote or prevent asthma development. However, the evidence on the association of PPI use with the risk of asthma and its exposure-response relationship has been limited. We aim to identify the association between the use of PPIs and the incidence of asthma, compared with use of histamine 2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs). A nationwide, prevalent new-user cohort study was conducted using Korea's National Sample Cohort database. Patients were defined as PPI or H2RA users between 2003 and 2019. PPI users matched to H2RA users based on time-conditional propensity score. Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals of incident asthma associated with PPI use by duration of use, cumulative dose, and average dose per duration. Among the 250,041 pairs, PPI users (51.3% male; mean [SD] age, 42.6 [16.5]; mean follow-up, 6.7 years) showed a higher incidence rate of asthma (7.94 events per 1000 person-year) compared to H2RA users (3.70 events per 1000 person-year) with adjusted hazard ratio of 2.15 (95% confidence interval = 2.08-2.21). The risk of asthma was significantly increased across all observed groups of duration of use, cumulative dose, and average dose per duration. This study suggested that PPI use is associated with an increased risk of developing asthma compared to H2RA use.

The Coming of Age of AI/ML in Drug Discovery, Development, Clinical Testing, and Manufacturing: The FDA Perspectives

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) represent significant advancements in computing, building on technologies that humanity has developed over millions of years-from the abacus to quantum computers. These tools have reached a pivotal moment in their development. In 2021 alone, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received over 100 product registration submissions that heavily relied on AI/ML for applications such as monitoring and improving human performance in compiling dossiers. To ensure the safe and effective use of AI/ML in drug discovery and manufacturing, the FDA and numerous other U.S. federal agencies have issued continuously updated, stringent guidelines. Intriguingly, these guidelines are often generated or updated with the aid of AI/ML tools themselves. The overarching goal is to expedite drug discovery, enhance the safety profiles of existing drugs, introduce novel treatment modalities, and improve manufacturing compliance and robustness. Recent FDA publications offer an encouraging outlook on the potential of these tools, emphasizing the need for their careful deployment. This has expanded market opportunities for retraining personnel handling these technologies and enabled innovative applications in emerging therapies such as gene editing, CRISPR-Cas9, CAR-T cells, mRNA-based treatments, and personalized medicine. In summary, the maturation of AI/ML technologies is a testament to human ingenuity. Far from being autonomous entities, these are tools created by and for humans designed to solve complex problems now and in the future. This paper aims to present the status of these technologies, along with examples of their present and future applications.

Proton pump inhibitor use: systematic review of global trends and practices

PURPOSE

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduce acid secretion in the stomach and rank as one of the most widely used acid-suppressing medicines globally. While PPIs are safe in the short-term, emerging evidence shows risks associated with long-term use. Current evidence on global PPI use is scarce. This systematic review aims to evaluate global PPI use in the general population.

METHODS

Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts were systematically searched from inception to 31 March 2023 to identify observational studies on oral PPI use among individuals aged ≥ 18 years. PPI use was classified by demographics and medication factors (dose, duration, and PPI types). The absolute numbers of PPI users for each subcategory were summed and expressed as a percentage.

RESULTS

The search identified data from 28 million PPI users in 23 countries from 65 articles. This review indicated that nearly one-quarter of adults use a PPI. Of those using PPIs, 63% were less than 65 years. 56% of PPI users were female, and "White" ethnicities accounted for 75% of users. Nearly two-thirds of users were on high doses (≥ defined daily dose (DDD)), 25% of users continued PPIs for > 1 year, and 28% of these continued for > 3 years.

CONCLUSION

Given the widespread use PPIs and increasing concern regarding long-term use, this review provides a catalyst to support more rational use, particularly with unnecessary prolonged continuation. Clinicians should review PPI prescriptions regularly and deprescribe when there is no appropriate ongoing indication or evidence of benefit to reduce health harm and treatment cost.

Nonrespiratory Diseases in Adults Without and With Asthma by Age at Asthma Diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Chronic nonrespiratory diseases are seemingly more prevalent in subjects with than without asthma, and asthma seems to differentiate by age of onset. However, studies with comparison of nonrespiratory diseases in subjects with and without asthma, considering asthma age of onset, are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the quantity and type of chronic nonrespiratory diseases in adults with and without asthma considering age at asthma diagnosis.

METHODS

In 2016, a FinEsS questionnaire was sent to 16,000 20- to 69-year-old adults randomly selected in Helsinki and Western Finland populations. Physician-diagnosed asthma was categorized to early (0-11), intermediate (12-39), and late-diagnosed (40-69 years).

RESULTS

A total of 8199 (51.5%) responded, and 842 (10.3%) reported asthma and age at diagnosis. In age and sex-adjusted binary logistic regression model, the most represented nonrespiratory disease was treated gastroesophageal reflux disease in early-diagnosed (odds ratio, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.17-3.19; P = .011) and osteoporosis in both intermediate-diagnosed (odds ratio, 3.45; 95% CI, 2.01-5.91; P < .001) and late-diagnosed asthma (odds ratio, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.77-4.79; P < .001), compared with subjects without asthma. In addition, gastroesophageal reflux disease, depression, sleep apnea, painful condition, and obesity were significantly more common in intermediate- and late-diagnosed asthma compared with without asthma, and similarly anxiety or panic disorder in intermediate-diagnosed and hypertension, severe cardiovascular disease, arrhythmia, and diabetes in late-diagnosed asthma. In age-adjusted analyses, having 3 or more nonrespiratory diseases was more common in intermediate (12.1%) and late-diagnosed asthma (36.2%) versus without asthma (10.4%) (both P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Nonrespiratory diseases were more common in adults with asthma than in adults without asthma. The type of nonrespiratory diseases differed, and their frequency increased by increasing age at asthma diagnosis.

Adding Chinese Herbal Medicine to Routine Care is Associated With a Lower Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis Among Patients With Asthma: A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective: Due to the shared pathogenesis of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), patients with asthma were found to have a higher risk of RA. While the benefits and safety of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for asthma have been reported, the scientific evidence regarding its effect on RA is limited. This longitudinal cohort study aimed to determine the relation between CHM use and RA risk in patients with asthma. Methods: Using the nationwide claims data, we enrolled 33,963 patients 20-80 years of age who were newly diagnosed with asthma and simultaneously free of RA between 2000 and 2007. From this sample, we utilized propensity score matching to create sets of participants as treatment and control groups, which comprised 13,440 CHM users and 13,440 non-CHM users. The incidence rate and hazard ratio (HR) for RA between the two groups were estimated at the end of 2013. A Cox proportional hazards model was constructed to examine the impact of the CHM use on the risk of RA. Results: The cumulative incidence of RA was substantially lower in the CHM user group. In the follow-up period, 214 patients in the CHM user group (1.92 per 1,000 person-years) and 359 patients in the non-CHM user group (2.92 per 1,000 person-years) developed RA (adjusted HR = 0.63, 95% confidence interval: 0.54-0.75). Of the commonly-prescribed formulae, nine CHM products were associated with a lower RA risk: Xiao-Qing-Long-Tang, Ma-Xing-Gan-Shi-Tang, Ding-Chuan-Tang, Xin-Yi-Qing-Fei-Tang, Bei Mu, Jie Geng, Xing Ren, Da Huang, and San Chi. Conclusion: This study found that patients with asthma who received CHM treatment, in addition to the conventional therapy, had a lower risk of RA. Use of CHM treatment may be integrated into conventional therapy to reduce subsequent RA risk among asthma patients.

Metformin and the Development of Asthma in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

We conducted this study to compare the risks of asthma development and exacerbation between metformin users and nonusers. Overall, 57,743 propensity score-matched metformin users and nonusers were identified from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database between 1 January 2000, and 31 December 2017. We used the Cox proportional hazards model with robust standard error estimates to compare the risks of asthma onset, exacerbation, and hospitalization for asthma in participants with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Compared with metformin nonuse, the aHRs (95% CI) for metformin use in asthma development, exacerbation, and hospitalization for asthma were 1.13 (1.06−1.2), 1.62 (1.35−1.95), and 1.5 (1.22−1.85), respectively. The cumulative incidences of asthma development, exacerbation, and hospitalization for asthma were significantly higher in metformin users than nonusers (p < 0.001). A longer cumulative duration of metformin use for more than 728 days was associated with significantly higher risks of outcomes than metformin nonuse. Our study demonstrated that metformin users showed significantly higher risks of asthma development, exacerbation, and hospitalization for asthma than metformin nonusers. Moreover, metformin use for more than 728 days was associated with higher risks of outcomes. A randomized control study is warranted to verify our results.

Associations Between Asthma Diagnosis/Asthma Exacerbation and Previous Proton-Pump Inhibitor use: A Nested Case-Control Study Using a National Health Screening Cohort

Background: Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) block acid secretion from gastric parietal cells; however, recent studies have reported that PPIs have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in various cells. Newer PPIs are stronger inhibitors of acid secretion; however, the anti-inflammatory effects of these drugs have not been assessed. We evaluated anti-inflammatory effect of PPIs on the development of asthma/asthma exacerbation (AE) in a national health screening cohort.

Methods: This case-control study comprised 64,809 participants with asthma who were 1:1 matched with controls from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of previous PPI use on an asthma diagnosis in all participants. Unconditional logistic regression was used to assess the effect of PPI use on AE in participants with asthma. These relationships were estimated in a subgroup analysis according to PPI generation.

Results: Overall, PPI use increased the risk of asthma diagnosis [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.23–1.35, p < 0.001]. Use of the first-generation PPIs was associated with asthma (aOR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.18–1.52, p < 0.001), while use of second-generation PPIs was not (aOR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.82–1.15, p = 0.748). In contrast, overall PPI use decreased the risk of AE in participants with asthma (aOR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.75–0.84, p < 0.001), although this effect was observed only for second-generation PPIs (aOR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.65–0.89, p = 0.001).

Conclusion: PPI use increased the risk for subsequent asthma diagnosis. However, this effect was confined to first-generation PPIs. Second-generation PPIs decreased the risk of AE.

Exposure to Proton Pump Inhibitors and the Risk of Incident Asthma in Patients with Coronary Artery Diseases: A Population-Based Cohort Study

We aimed to determine the association between proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and incident asthma in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This nationwide cohort study collected claims data from the Taiwanese Bureau of National Health Insurance from 2004 to 2013. The primary outcome, i.e., the risk of incident asthma, was assessed by estimating hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The adjusted HR of asthma development was estimated using the Cox regression model. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were also conducted. A total of 8894 PPI users and 12,684 H2-receptor antagonist (H2RA) users were included in patients with CAD. Compared with H2RA use, an increased risk of incident asthma was found between PPI use and the risk of incident asthma in patients with CAD after adjusting for sex, age, urbanization, and low income (HR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.04-1.89). The sensitivity analysis results were consistent with the main analysis results. However, the subgroup analysis revealed no association of incident asthma in patients with diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, stroke, allergic rhinitis, pneumonia, cancer, or depression in the PPI group compared with those in the H2RA group. In conclusion, PPI use increased the risk of asthma development in patients with CAD.

Gastroesophageal Reflux in Children with Asthma

Background: Nowadays it is considered that a specific causal relationship exists between asthma and gastroesophageal reflux (GER), because of the aspiration of gastric refluate which leads to and maintain spasticity even real crisis of paroxystic expiratory dyspnea. This study explores this relationship and evaluates the results after treatment. Methods: 56 children diagnosed with asthma, hospitalized in a regional center of pediatric gastroenterology in Northeast Romania, underwent 24-hour continuous esophageal pH monitoring in order to establish the presence of GER. The Boix-Ochoa score was used to interpret the results. Proton pump inhibitors were administered to those with GER and the patients were reevaluated after 2 months. Results: 39 patients (69.64%) had GER, with a Boix-Ochoa score above normal (N < 11.99), and 17 patients (30.36%) had normal score. After administering proton pump inhibitors for 2 months, 7 patients still had high Boix-Ochoa score (17.95%). The result of this analysis shows that the presence of asthma increases the chance of GER by 2.86 times. Conclusions: In children with asthma we have to look for GER in order to treat, because it can help the treatment of asthma or even solve some cases resistant to standard treatment.

Higher Risk of Hyperthyroidism in People with Asthma: Evidence from a Nationwide, Population-Based Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Studies have indicated that hyperthyroidism exacerbates asthma; however, the influence of asthma in the development of hyperthyroidism has not been adequately studied.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this population-based, retrospective cohort study was to investigate the association between asthma and the development of hyperthyroidism.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, datasets from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 in Taiwan during 1997 to 2013 were retrieved. Patients newly diagnosed with asthma (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision: 493) during 2000 to 2013 were identified as the exposure cohort. The 1:1 propensity-score-matched nonasthma individuals were selected as the comparison cohort. The hazard ratio (HR) of development of hyperthyroidism in patients with asthma and its association with age and follow-up time were examined.

RESULTS

A total of 45,182 individuals were included in the study, including 22,591 and 22,591 patients with (asthma group) and without (control group) asthma, respectively. Incidence rates (per 100,000 person-months) of hyperthyroidism in the study groups were 12.88 in the control group and 16.95 in the asthma group. The adjusted HR for developing hyperthyroidism was 1.31 (95% confidence interval, 1.12-1.53) in patients with asthma compared with controls. The risk of developing hyperthyroidism was higher in patients with asthma aged>30 years old and with a follow-up of <3 years than in other subgroups.

CONCLUSION

Patients with asthma had a higher risk of developing hyperthyroidism, especially those over 30 years of age and in the first 3 years after diagnosis of asthma. Clinicians caring for patients with asthma should be aware of this increased risk.

Association Between Proton Pump Inhibitor Use and Risk of Asthma in Children

IMPORTANCE

The use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in children has increased substantially in recent years, concurrently with emerging concerns that these drugs may increase the risk of asthma. Whether PPI use in the broad pediatric population is associated with increased risk of asthma is not known.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between PPI use and risk of asthma in children.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This nationwide cohort study collected registry data in Sweden from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2016. Children and adolescents 17 years or younger were matched by age and propensity score into 80 870 pairs of those who initiated PPI use and those who did not. Data were analyzed from February 1 to September 1, 2020.

EXPOSURES

Initiation of PPI use.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary analysis examined the risk of incident asthma with a median follow-up to 3.0 (interquartile range, 2.1-3.0) years. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs).

RESULTS

Among the 80 870 pairs (63.0% girls; mean [SD] age, 12.9 [4.8] years), those who initiated PPI use had a higher incidence rate of asthma (21.8 events per 1000 person-years) compared with noninitiators (14.0 events per 1000 person-years), with an HR of 1.57 (95% CI, 1.49-1.64). The risk of asthma was significantly increased across all age groups and was highest for infants and toddlers with an HR of 1.83 (95% CI, 1.65-2.03) in the group younger than 6 months and 1.91 (95% CI, 1.65-2.22) in the group 6 months to younger than 2 years (P < .001 for interaction). The HRs for individual PPIs were 1.64 (95% CI, 1.50-1.79) for esomeprazole, 1.49 (95% CI, 1.25-1.78) for lansoprazole, 1.43 (95% CI, 1.35-1.51) for omeprazole, and 2.33 (95% CI, 1.30-4.18) for pantoprazole. In analyses of the timing of asthma onset after PPI initiation, the HRs were 1.62 (95% CI, 1.42-1.85) for 0 to 90 days, 1.73 (95% CI, 1.52-1.98) for 91 to 180 days, and 1.53 (95% CI, 1.45-1.62) for 181 days to end of follow-up. The association was consistent through all sensitivity analyses, including high-dimensional propensity score matching (HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.41-1.55).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study, initiation of PPI use compared with nonuse was associated with an increased risk of asthma in children. Proton pump inhibitors should be prescribed to children only when clearly indicated, weighing the potential benefit against potential harm.

Acid suppressants use and the risk of dementia: A population-based propensity score-matched cohort study

In this population-based propensity score matched (PSM) cohort study, we aimed to investigate the risk of developing dementia with the use of acid suppressants, including proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2 antagonists). Cohorts of PPI users (n = 2,778), H2 antagonist users (n = 6,165), and non-users (n = 86,238) were selected from a dataset covering the years 2000 to 2010 in Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. Patients in the three groups were PSM at a ratio of 1:1 within each comparison cohort (CC). Three CCs were created: (1) PPI users compared to non-users (CC1, n = 2,583 pairs); (2) H2 antagonist users compared to non-users (CC2, n = 5,955 pairs); and (3) PPI users compared to H2 antagonist users (CC3, n = 2,765 pairs). A multivariable robust Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the risk of developing dementia. The multivariable analysis results show that the aHR of developing dementia during the follow-up period was 0.72 (CC1: 95% CI = 0.51–1.03, P = 0.07) for PPI users and 0.95 (CC2: 95% CI = 0.74–1.22, P = 0.69) for H2 antagonist users, when compared to non-users. Between the patients using acid suppressants, there was no difference between PPI and H2 antagonist users in the risk of developing dementia (CC3: aHR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.58–1.17, P = 0.28). In conclusion, no association was observed between the use of acid suppressants and the risk of developing dementia in any of the three CCs. Further, randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm this relationship.