Abstract

SANTOS, Luís Ramos dos et al. Predictors of Inappropriate Proton Pump Inhibitor Prescription in an Internal Medicine Department. Medicina Interna [online]. 2017, vol.24, n.2, pp.112-118. ISSN 0872-671X.

Introduction:Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used in the treatment of gastrointestinal pathology and prevention of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. They are frequently misused in hospitalized patients. Methods:We conducted an observational cross-sectional study between 15th March and 15th May 2015 to evaluate the prescription pattern of PPIs in an Internal Medicine ward regarding indications and costs. Results:Five hundred and eighty five admissions were included with an average age of 75 years. One hundred and sixty three cases were medicated with a PPI prior to admission, half of them without indication. Three hundred seventy-two cases were prescribed a PPI on admission/during hospital stay but only 63 cases had a proper indication meaning that 83% were inadequately medicated. Predictors of inadequate PPI prescription were female sex, age = 75 years and being medicated with a PPI prior to admission. Conclusion: Total costs, directly related to PPIs were set at €1079.96, on average €2.72 per episode. Therapy with PPIs should be reviewed to decrease inadequate prescriptions and costs.

Keywords : Hospital Departments; Inappropriate Prescribing; Internal Medicine; Proton Pump Inhibitors/therapeutic uso.

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