The appropriate use of proton pump inhibitors: Single centre experience

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Yardımcı H.

TURKISH JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY, cilt.34, sa.5, ss.64-65, 2023 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus, TRDizin)

Özet

Background/Aims: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most 

potent gastric acid inhibitors available. Therefore, they are widely 

used for the treatment and prevention of acid-related diseases. 

Their low side effect profile and frequent use of antiplatelet therapy 

or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is also a factor 

in this increase. The unnecessary use of PPIs has increased significantly. Therefore, we planned this study to assess the extent to 

which indications are followed when prescribing PPIs in both out-ofhospital and hospitalized patients.

Materials and Methods: This was a single-center, cross-sectional 

observational study and patients who were hospitalized in the 

Gastroenterology Clinic of Mersin University Faculty of Medicine 

during the between March 10, 2022-April 10, 2022 were evaluated reasons for hospitalization, other diseases, demographic 

data, medications used before hospitalization and treatments 

given after hospitalization were recorded by a physician outside 

the Gastroenterology clinic. Indications for PPI use: Peptic Ulcer 

Disease, GI Bleeding, H.Pylori Eradication, Zollinger Ellison syndrome, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (Erosive esophagitis, Non 

erosive reflux disease), Functional dyspepsia, NSAIDs in patients 

with high risk of GI bleeding, gastroprotection in aspirin/antiplatelet use.

Results: Of the 106 patients in this period, 53% were male and the 

mean age was 65.8 years. When PPI use was evaluated: The number 

of patients with indication for home use was 24 (22.6%), while the 

number of patients using PPIs was 45 (42.4%). While there were 43 

(40.5%) patients with indication for use in the hospital, the number 

of patients using PPIs in the hospital was 92 (86.7%).

Conclusion: PPIs are valuable drugs in the treatment of acid-related 

diseases and have a low side effect profile. This leads to frequent and 

unnecessary use of PPIs. This study found that 20% of patients used 

unnecessary PPIs at home and nearly half used unnecessary PPIs 

even while in the gastroenterology clinic.