Prevalence of such agents estimated to be between 40-70% of medical inpatients (Nardino R).
Approximately half of patients prescribed acid suppressive medication during a hospitalization continue such agents after discharge.
Up to 70% of inpatient use of such agents not supported by research.
Associated with increased risk for community acquired pneumonia both in users of proton pump inhibitors and histamine 2 receptor antagonists.
In England a study revealed the highest risk for community acquired pneumonia occurred within the first 2 days of initiation of proton pump inhibitor therapy (Sarkar M).
In a large hospital based study use of proton pump inhibitors was associated with a 30% increased odds of hospital acquired pneumonia (Herzig S).