Influence of proton pump inhibitors on microbiota in chronic liver disease patients

Background Current knowledge suggests that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are associated with an increased risk of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). These conditions and PPI use are related to gut microbiota. The aim of this study is to research the changes in gut microbiota caused by PPI in patients with chronic liver disease. Methods From 198 Japanese patients, 31 patients in the PPI and non-PPI groups were matched using propensity score matching (PSM) based on age, sex, and Child–Turcotte–Pugh class. We investigated the gut microbial composition of stool samples using the Illumina MiSeq sequencing platform and compared them using linear discriminant analysis effect size and phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states. Results Before PSM, Child–Turcotte–Pugh score ( p = 0.038), ascites ( p = 0.049), encephalopathy ( p = 0.023), and esophageal varices ( p