Proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) use is not linked with an increased risk of dementia, pneumonia or intestinal infections, and an association with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is likely due to residual confounding, research suggests.

While several studies have linked PPIs to adverse outcomes, much of this research is based on observational data, the Canadian authors say.

A randomised controlled trial recently found no association between PPIs and these adverse events, aside from intestinal infections.

To determine whether previous reports of adverse outcomes from PPIs were biased, researchers examined a Canadian data base: the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey for 2006-2015.