Prescribing pattern of proton pump inhibitors among patients visiting the outpatient general medicine clinic in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Nepal

Bijaya Basyal,Bipashwi Nath Uprety,Rajendra Lamichhane,Sabina Sankhi,Nirmal Raj Marasine

doi:10.1108/jhr-09-2020-0420

Bijaya Basyal, Bipashwi Nath Uprety + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1108/jhr-09-2020-0420

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Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the prescribing pattern of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in patients visiting the outpatient general medical clinic in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital.Design/methodology/approachA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 419 patients aged ≥18 years, visiting the outpatient general medicine clinic of a tertiary hospital and prescribed with at least one PPI, from July to September 2016 using a purposive sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were performed using IBM-SPSS 20.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA).FindingsPatients were mostly less than 30 years (30.78%) and female (58.95%). Pantoprazole was the most frequently prescribed PPIs (57.04%). The majority of PPIs were prescribed for acid peptic disorder (APD) (33.65%), followed by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) prophylaxis (30.79%). Most of the PPIs were prescribed for twice-daily administration (68.26%). Nearly one-fourth (21.72%) of the patients presented with at least one additional medical condition, and almost all (99%) patients were receiving at least one additional drug along with PPIs.Originality/valueThe study suggests that PPIs are frequently prescribed and their use has been extended to other conditions that in fact do not require acid anti-secretory therapy. Result has highlighted the need for an interdisciplinary collaboration between pharmacists and medical professionals for the rational use of PPIs and promotion of PPIs prescription from the National List of Essential Medicines.

Highlights

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a group of drugs that are most effective at suppressing gastric acid secretion
The United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has approved the use of PPIs in adults for the healing of erosive esophagitis (EE), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (ZES), duodenal ulcer (DUs), maintenance of healed EE, risk reduction of gastric ulcer associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and H. pylori eradication to reduce the risk of (DU) recurrence in combination with antibiotics
Patients aged ≥18 years of age of either gender visiting the outpatient general medicine clinic patterns of of Chitwan Medical College (Chitwan, Nepal) between July and September 2016, prescribed with at least one PPI were eligible to be included in the study

Summary

Introduction

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a group of drugs that are most effective at suppressing gastric acid secretion. According to the International Classification of Disease, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM), epigastric and periumbilical abdominal pain are acceptable symptoms for PPI therapy for the possible minimal duration without continuation [4]. These conditions are being common medical problems, and PPIs have become the most widely prescribed medications globally [5]

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