The silent epidemic: Inappropriate use of proton pump inhibitors among hospitalized patients

• Published in: Arab journal of gastroenterology 2024-11, Vol.25 (4), p.414-420
• Main Authors: Mohamed, Mohamed Ramadan, Itani, Mira, Abohelwa, Mostafa, Ahmed, Mohamed Attia, Abdouni, Lina, Doumat, George, Azzo, Majduldeen, Dabdoub, Fatema, Al-Tfaili, Hanana, Elziny, Moustafa, Assaf, Georges
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Comorbidity; Female; Hospitalization - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Inappropriate Prescribing - statistics & numerical data; Inpatients; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Discharge - statistics & numerical data; Polypharmacy; Prevalence; Proton pump inhibitors; Proton Pump Inhibitors - adverse effects; Proton Pump Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors
• ISSN: 1687-1979; 2090-2387; 2090-2387
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajg.2024.07.001

There is an increasing trend to inappropriately prescribe proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in different clinical settings despite the reported adverse outcomes. This study aimed to assess (1) the prevalence of potentially inappropriate use of PPIs and its associated risk factors among hospitalized patients, at pre-admission and discharge and (2) the prevalence of valid indications of PPIs use without prescription. A retrospective observational study was performed at a single center, examining the records of patients aged ≥18 years who were admitted to the Family Medicine inpatient service over a one-year period. The appropriateness of PPIs use was assessed against a set of pre-approved indications. A total of 289 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 34.67 % were taking PPIs upon admission, increasing to 43.67 % at discharge (p