(0304) Association Between Proton Pump Inhibitors and Head and Neck Cancer: A Case-Control Study in a National Cohort

Introduction: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used, especially in otorhinolaryngology clinics, to address persistent throat symptoms. With reported concerns about overprescription of PPIs, our study investigates the potential assocation between PPI use and the occurence of head and neck cancer (HNC) in a national cohort.

Methods: HNC participants were selected from a pool of 1,137,861 individuals with 219,673,817 medical claim codes spanning from 2005 to 2019. Following the matching of covariates, 1,677 of HNC participants were 1:4 matched with 6,708 control participants.
Propensity score overlap weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the overlap weighted odds ratios (ORs) of User of PPI and Duration of PPI for HNC and other sites of HNC. Also, subgroup analyses according to age, gender, income, and region of residence was performed.

Results: The current exposure and history of PPI use demonstrated higher odds for incident HNC than the nonuser group ([0.14; 95% CI 0.11–0.17] and [0.69; 95% CI 0.6–0.79]), especially in adults under 65 years old. When dividing subgroups, hypopharynx cancer, salivary gland cancer, and larynx cancer exhibited particularly high odds ratios with statistical significance.

Conclusions: This study carefully explores the potential association between PPIs and incident HNC in the Korean population. However, further research is needed to confirm the pathophysiologic explanation for head and neck cancer carcinogenesis.