MedWire News: The long-term use of stomach acid-suppressing drugs called proton pump inhibitors does not increase elderly people's risk of becoming deficient in vitamin B12, Dutch study results show.

Vitamin B12, which is found in foods such as eggs, meat, poultry, shellfish, milk and other dairy products, is important for the production of red blood cells and maintaining a healthy nervous system.

However, Dr W den Elzen, from Leiden University Medical Centre, and colleagues explain: "Some studies have shown that short-term use of proton pump inhibitors decreases the absorption of vitamin B12, but the results of studies into long-term proton pump inhibitor use and vitamin B12 deficiency are inconsistent."

To investigate further, the team studied vitamin B12 levels in 125 patients, aged at least 65 years, who had used proton pump inhibiters for at least 3 years to treat gastro-oesophgeal reflux disease and other disorders.

The team also assessed vitamin B12 levels in each participant's partner.

Analysis revealed no significant differences in vitamin B12 levels between users of proton pump inhibitors and their partners, even after accounting for age, gender and other factors.

The team also found no significant differences in vitamin B12 levels between patients who had been using proton pump inhibitors for 3 years and those who had been using the drugs for up to 6 years.

Writing in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Dr den Elzen and team conclude: "Long-term proton pump inhibitor use was neither associated with vitamin B12 deficiency, nor with other parameters that are clinically associated with vitamin B12 deficiency."

They add: "These results suggest that there is no need to screen elderly long-term proton pump inhibitor users for vitamin B12 deficiency, not even after 6 years of therapy."