Overview
A common medicine used for acid reflux, taken by 15% of people in the UK, might be causing more cases of scurvy, according to new research by Australian doctors. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole, could be increasing the risk of a serious vitamin C deficiency.
Case Study
Doctors at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Western Australia raised this concern after treating a man in his 50s who developed scurvy while using PPIs. The patient first showed symptoms of a red-brown rash that started on his legs and spread to his hands and arms. Blood tests revealed that he had no detectable vitamin C in his bloodstream and low levels of other important nutrients.
The patient was treated with daily supplements, including 1000mg of vitamin C, vitamin D3, folic acid, and multivitamins. His symptoms improved, the rash disappeared, and his vitamin C levels returned to normal.
Underlying Issues
Doctors found that the man wasn’t eating fruits or vegetables regularly and often skipped meals. He had also recently undergone weight loss surgery and couldn’t afford his prescribed nutritional supplements. Weight loss surgery can make it harder for the body to absorb vitamins and minerals from food. The use of PPIs made this problem worse, as they can reduce the body’s ability to absorb vitamin C.
Dr. Andrew Dermawan from Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital explained that the rising cost of living has made it more difficult for families to afford healthy food, which increases the risk of scurvy. He also mentioned other risk factors, such as alcoholism, smoking, eating disorders, low income, obesity, kidney dialysis, and certain medications that make it harder to absorb vitamin C.
Widespread Use of PPIs
PPIs are widely used. In England, the NHS dispensed 73 million PPI prescriptions in 2022-23, making up 6% of all prescriptions. PPIs are typically prescribed to treat symptoms like indigestion, acid reflux, or stomach pain, and are also used to protect the stomach when people take other medicines, such as aspirin or steroids, even if they do not have symptoms.
Accessibility and Risks
PPIs are easily accessible, with some available over the counter at pharmacies and supermarkets. This makes it important for patients and healthcare workers to understand the potential risks of long-term use.