USE OF PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS IN GENERAL PRACTICE, ITS EFFICACY, DOSE AND FREQUENCY

The frequency of PPI abuse varies between 40% and 70% in various studies. Starting and continuing to use these drugs without the correct indications will cost the patient considerably. This study was planned to explore the rational use of PPI in tertiary hospital patients. Purpose: To evaluate the indications for the use of PPI with dose, frequency, treatment rationality, safety and efficacy. Place and Duration: In the Surgical and Medical departments of Ayub teaching Hospital, Abbottabad for six months duration from January 2019 to June 2019. Methods: A prospective observational study on the drug use of PPI was conducted in patients hospitalized in General Medicine and Surgery services. The size of the study sample was (n = 100). Patient case sheets were reviewed for PPI prescription and relevant data were collected. An approved reflux disease diagnostic questionnaire (RDQ) with 12 items and a five-point Likert scale were used to evaluate the symptom score to evaluate the effectiveness of PPIs. Results: A total of 46.72% inpatients were on proton pump inhibitors, in surgery (47.52%) and medicine wards (46.01%). The indications for PPIs therapy were acute gastritis (4%) , Gastro Esophageal reflux disease (5%) , Duodenal ulcer(1%) , co-administration with Non-Steroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drugs(32%). PPIs were prescribed irrationally in 58 % of patients without any valid indication. The incidence of polypharmacy was high, average number of drugs per prescription was 4.93. Antimicrobials were the most common drugs used in (71%). Conclusion: Proton pump inhibitors should be used more rationally and awareness should be increased among hospital physicians in order for PPIs to be properly prescribed to improve patient care at a low cost. Key Words: Proton pump inhibitors, General practice, Rationale