Visit the Microscopic Colitis Foundation Website
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/750 ... &src=nldne
In a retrospective study from Japan, chronic use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) was found to be associated with a greater than 3-fold increased risk of developing Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD)...
Among the 487 PPI users, there were 19 cases of CDAD; among the 329 nonusers, there were 4 cases of CDAD...
For patients needing relief of stomach acid, especially older patients, he recommends a magnesium-containing antacid...
Besides a potential risk for C difficile infections, PPIs are costly and they can interfere with calcium absorption because of hypochlorhydria; they also have the potential to increase the risk for bone fractures...
Dr. McDonald reported that observational studies have shown a graded effect of acid reducers on the development of C difficile problems. "There's one published study that shows a dose–response effect with the more potent stomach acid suppressors — the PPIs being more potent than the H2 blockers — and they showed a gradation in effect. That suggested that maybe the pathogenesis of this is acid reduction. Of course, spores are relatively acid-resistant. Others have said that maybe this is really an antibiotic effect of the PPIs changing the flora of the lower intestine," he said.
The study had no commercial support
I can believe that. It probably won't get many rave reviews from most doctors, either. 