PPI use raises risk of intestinal Behçet disease

Treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may contribute to a higher incidence of intestinal Behçet Disease (BD) in patients with BD, suggest the results of a study.

Overall, 194 patients with BD diagnosed between April 2005 and November 2023 at The University of Tokyo Hospital were included in this retrospective cohort study.

The investigators estimated the hazard ratios (HRs) and cumulative incidence of intestinal BD using Cox models and Kaplan–Meier analyses, respectively. They also performed secondary analyses to examine the duration and dose-response relationship of PPI use.

Of the patients, 25.3 percent developed intestinal BD during a mean follow-up of 12 years, with PPI users showing a significantly higher incidence than nonusers (adjusted HR, 2.48, 95 percent confidence interval, 1.38–4.47; p=0.002). A duration and dose-dependent relationship was observed.

In addition, users of PPI showed a significantly increased cumulative incidence of intestinal BD. These results were consistent with those seen in the propensity score-matched cohort.

“This study demonstrates a significant association between PPI use and increased incidence of intestinal BD in patients with BD,” the investigator said. “Caution in prescribing PPIs for patients with BD is warranted due to the potential risk of severe complications associated with intestinal BD.”