S939 Public Interest in Proton Pump Inhibitor Safety: A 15-Year Google Trends Analysis (2010-2025)

Introduction: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most commonly prescribed medications worldwide, yet emerging research has raised concerns about potential long-term adverse effects. Understanding public awareness and information-seeking behavior regarding PPI safety can inform patient education and risk communication strategies. Methods: We extracted monthly search data from Google Trends between January 2010 and January 2025 for the United States. Search terms included “omeprazole,” “PPI side effects,” “PPI dementia,” and “PPI kidney damage.” Relative search interest was normalized on a scale from 0 to 100. Time-series analysis was performed to assess long-term trends and identify temporal spikes in public interest. Results: Over the 181-month study period, average search interest was 49.2/100 for omeprazole, 22.6/100 for PPI side effects, 10.1/100 for PPI dementia, and 15.1/100 for PPI kidney damage. Comparing the first 5 years (2010-2014) to the most recent 5 years (2020-2024), searches for “PPI side effects” increased significantly by 19.4% (from 20.6 to 24.6; P < 0.001), while omeprazole searches declined modestly by 4.0% (from 50.1 to 48.1; P < 0.001). Interest in PPI-associated dementia and kidney damage remained stable over time. Peak search interest for side effects occurred in January 2025 (31/100). Dementia-related searches showed cyclical spikes every four years (2010, 2014, 2018, 2022), possibly reflecting the publication cycles of related research. Conclusion: Public interest in PPI safety has increased substantially over the past 15 years, with nearly a 20% rise in searches for side effect information, while maintaining stable interest in the medications themselves. This trend suggests growing health literacy and safety consciousness among PPI users. The periodic spikes in dementia-related searches align with major research publications, indicating that scientific findings influence public information-seeking behavior. These findings have important implications for patient education, shared decision-making, and risk communication strategies in clinical practice. Healthcare providers should be prepared to address evolving patient concerns about PPI safety while maintaining evidence-based prescribing practices.