Proton Pump Inhibitors and COVID-19: Confusing Status Quo

• Published in: The American journal of gastroenterology Vol. 116; no. 10; p. 2153
• Main Authors: Lv, Xiu-He, Wang, Zi-Jing, Yang, Jin-Lin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wolters Kluwer 01.10.2021; Wolters Kluwer Health Medical Research, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
• Subjects: Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Gastroenterology; Humans; Mortality; Proton Pump Inhibitors; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
• ISSN: 0002-9270; 1572-0241; 1572-0241
• DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001407

The authors found higher salivary ACE2 mRNA levels of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) users than nonusers and discovered the association between PPI use and increased mortality risk in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). [...]PPIs may also show a promoting effect on COVID-19 progression although inhibiting gastric acid (removes the protective barrier toward ingested microorganisms and results in dysbiosis conditions in the digestive tract), causing serious adverse events (include cardiovascular disease and nephrotoxicity), and modulating the immune response (4). [...]we call for more well-designed studies to address the current confusion about the relationship between PPI and COVID-19. [...]there is clear evidence, individualized medical decision based on a patient's need for PPIs seems to be a reasonable choice rather than blocking the use of PPIs during this pandemic.