Prevalence and Patterns of Self-Reported Proton Pump Inhibitor Use Among Internal Medicine Outpatients: A Cross-Sectional Study from Türkiye

Background/Objectives: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used, but real-world utilisation data from internal medicine settings remain limited. We estimated the screening-period prevalence of self-reported current PPI use among attendees of two internal medicine outpatient clinics and described treatment patterns among current users. Methods: In this single-centre cross-sectional survey in Adana, Türkiye (August 2025–January 2026), 977 consecutively screened adult outpatients were asked about current PPI use; 178 reported current use, and 149 of them (83.7%) completed an investigator-administered questionnaire. Wilson 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the prevalence and three prespecified proportions; exploratory ≤6-versus >6-month comparisons used exact tests with Holm adjustment. Results: Current use was reported by 178/977 outpatients (18.2%; 95% CI 15.9–20.8%). Among users (mean age 57.5 ± 13.6 years; 61.1% women), median reported duration was 54 months (interquartile range 18–84); 86.6% reported use for >6 months and 34.2% for >5 years. Pantoprazole was most common (31.5%). Gastroprotection during non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or antithrombotic therapy (45.0%) and dyspepsia (35.6%) were the leading reasons; 80.6% of those citing gastroprotection reported current NSAID or antithrombotic use. Ongoing upper-gastrointestinal symptoms were reported by 77.9% (59.7% of those citing gastroprotection; 100.0% of those citing reflux). Conclusions: Nearly one in five screened outpatients reported current PPI use, and reported exposure was predominantly prolonged. Ongoing symptoms and prolonged use without a documented indication are signals that should prompt structured, individualised medication review.