Analysis of the prescription of proton pump inhibitors in a socio-health care center

Abstract

Introduction: The increase in life expectancy and chronic diseases among the elderly population has led to an increase in polymedication, particularly of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), whose consumption has grown considerably. The main objective is to describe and analyze the appropriateness of PPI prescription in institutionalized patients in a social-health care center. The secondary objectives are to detect potentially inappropriate prescriptions, to carry out pharmaceutical interventions and to verify the acceptance or otherwise of PPIs by the physicians in charge.

Method: a cross-sectional study was carried out in which information was collected on the prescription and adequacy of PPIs prescribing by residents of a socio-health care center linked to the hospital pharmacy service, carried out in March 2024.

Results: 300 institutionalized patients were included (mean age 85.1 ± 8.7 years, 62.3% women). The prevalence of PPI use was 72.3%, with omeprazole being the most prescribed. The main indication was gastrointestinal prophylaxis due to treatment with gastrolesive drugs. Some 42% did not have an adequate prescription. There were 155 patients on treatment with gastrolesive drugs, with ASA being the most prescribed (35%). Pharmaceutical intervention was performed in 42% of the patients. A total of 23.8% of the interventions were accepted.

Conclusions: It is necessary to improve training and communication among healthcare professionals regarding the use of PPIs, since their use was potentially inadequate in almost half of the prescriptions in this study.