The appropriate use of proton pump inhibitors: Single centre experience

Bacground and Aims: Proton pump inhibitors are a class of pharmaceuticals that effectively inhibit gastric acid secretion. Their utilisation is increasing on a global scale. However, the use of proton pump inhibitors for off-label and unnecessary indications has also increased significantly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness of proton pump inhibitor use. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a single-centre, cross-sectional observational study. Between 10 March 2022 and 10 April 2022, patients admitted to the Gastroenterology Clinic of Mersin University Faculty of Medicine were examined. The reasons for hospitalisation, demographic data, and pre- and post-hospitalisation drug use of the patients were recorded without the clinical team being aware of the study. Results: During the study period, 106 patients were hospitalised in the clinic, with 53% of the patients being male and the mean age being 65.8 years. The most common reasons for hospitalisation were gastrointestinal bleeding, acute pancreatitis and abdominal pain. While 45 (42%) of the hospitalised patients used proton pump inhibitors at home, 24 (53%) of them had appropriate indication. Of the 92 (86.7%) patients who used proton pump inhibitors during hospitalisation, 41 (44.6%) had appropriate indication. Conclusion: Proton pump inhibitors represent a class of pharmaceutical agents commonly prescribed for the management of acid-related pathologies, characterised by their favourable safety profile and broad accessibility. However, this widespread utilisation carries inherent risks, including the potential for inappropriate prescriptions. It is imperative to underscore the significance of potential drawbacks, such as adverse effects of a minor severity, financial implications and the necessity for polypharmacy, as highlighted in extant research.