Proton pump inhibitor therapy does not increase the incidence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhosis: a multicenter prospective study.

Background & Aim: Retrospective studies show an association between proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). We investigate the relationship between PPI and SBP in decompensated cirrhotic patients in a large nationwide prospective study.

Methods: Seven hundred seventy patients with a diagnosis of decompensated cirrhosis were admitted consecutively in 23 hospitals in Argentina from March 2011 to April 2012; the patients were carefully investigated for PPI consumption in the previous 3 months.