cognitive problems of breast cancer survivors on proton pump inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitors (ppis) are used in cancer patients to manage treatment-related gastrointestinal symptoms and to prevent damage to the gastric mucosal lining during treatment. however, ppi use contribute to cognitive problems. to compare ppi-users and non-users, breast cancer survivors reported cognitive problems in three studies. in study 1, breast cancer survivors (n = 209; n = 173 non-users, n = 36 ppi-users; stages 0-iiic) rated their cognitive function on the kohli scale prior to cancer treatment, as well as one and two years later. in study 2, women (n = 200; n = 169 non-users, n = 31 ppi-users, stages 0-iiia, m = 11 months post-treatment) rated their cognitive function on the kohli scale and bcpt checklist at three visits over a six-month period. in study 3, participants (n = 142; n = 121 non-users, n = 21 ppi-users; stages i-iiia, m = 4 years post-treatment) rated their cognitive function on the kohli scale, bcpt checklist, and functional assessment of cancer therapy cognitive scale (fact-cog). in study 1, ppi-users reported more severe concentration problems (p = 0.039) but not memory problems (p = 0.17) than non-users. in study 2, ppi-users reported more severe concentration problems (p = 0.022) than non-users, but not memory problems or symptoms on the bcpt (ps = 0.11). study 3’s ppi-users reported more severe memory problems (p = 0.002), poorer overall cognitive function (p = 0.006), lower quality of life related to cognitive problems (p = 0.005), greater perceived cognitive impairment (p = 0.013), and poorer cognitive abilities (p = 0.046), but not more severe concentration problems (p = 0.16), compared to non-users. ppi use impair breast cancer survivors’ memory, concentration, and quality of life.