A few retrospective studies have suggested the risk of urolithiasis associated with the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). The current research intended to estimate the risk of urolithiasis according to previous PPI use. A nested case-control study was conducted using the National Health Insurance Service-National Health Screening Cohort in Korea. A total of 28,962 patients with urolithiasis and 115,848 control participants were selected. The previous prescription history of PPI with days of PPI prescription was collected. To calculate the odds ratios (OR) of past, current, and days of PPI use for urolithiasis, logistic regression models were used. Subgroup analyses were conducted. The urolithiasis group demonstrated a higher rate of current PPI users than the control group (60.9% vs. 43.7%). The current PPI users indicated 2.49 times higher odds for urolithiasis than no PPI users (95% confidence intervals [CI] = 2.33−2.66). A longer duration of PPI use was associated with greater odds for urolithiasis (adjusted OR = 1.65 (95% CI = 1.54−1.77) < 1.97 (95% CI = 1.84−2.11) < 2.32 (95% CI = 2.14−2.49) for 1−19 days, 30−364 days, and 365 or more days of PPI prescription). All subgroup analyses described a consistently positive association of previous PPI use with urolithiasis. Prior PPI use was related to a higher risk of urolithiasis. The relationship between previous PPI use and urolithiasis demonstrated a dose-response association.
Keywords: case-control studies; epidemiology; proton pump inhibitors; risk factors; urolithiasis.