Valencia
The most commonly used medications to treat heartburn and reflux, known as proton pump inhibitors, are effective and safe when used for short periods. However, a new international study warns that prolonged consumption could be related to significant health problems, especially at the kidney level. The research has been carried out by the ITACA Institute of the Polytechnic University of Valencia, in collaboration with the prestigious Karolinska Institutet of Sweden, and has been published in the scientific journal Scientific Reports.
The work analyzes real data from almost 300,000 patients and concludes that people who take these medications for long periods have a higher risk of developing chronic kidney disease and higher mortality compared to those who use other alternative treatments for the same digestive problems. Among these drugs are some widely used to combat heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux or ulcers.
The researchers explain that the increased cardiovascular risk observed in some patients could be indirectly related to the deterioration of kidney function. That is, it would not be the medication itself that directly affects the heart, but rather the consequences it can have on the kidneys when used for a long time without adequate monitoring.
These medications are still useful
The study highlights that these medications continue to be useful and necessary in many cases, but insists on the importance of not taking them for a long time without medical supervision. Experts recommend periodically reviewing treatments, adjusting doses when necessary and monitoring kidney function, especially in older people or people with risk factors.
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Carlos Fernández explains the
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Additionally, the research highlights the value of analyzing large health databases to detect long-term effects that are not always seen in traditional studies. This type of analysis allows us to move towards more preventive and personalized medicine, aimed at improving the safety and quality of life of patients.
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