Use of proton pump inhibitors – part II: Clinical profiles of patients and characteristics of the prescriptions of proton pump inhibitors in an internal medicine outpatient clinic of a university hospital, Bahia – Brazil

Abstract

Worldwide, proton pump inhibitors are one of the most prescribed long-term drug categories. PPIs are considered important therapeutic options in several clinical situations, with emphasis in peptic diseases – associated or not with Helicobacter Pylori infection – and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease; the latter is a frequent clinical condition, and can result in adaptive mechanisms such as Barrett's Epithelium, considered a premalignant lesion for adenocarcinoma of the lower third of the esophagus. Due to the frequency of chronic use of PPIs, and the possibility of side effects not yet fully established, the present study was carried out in an Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic of a University Hospital of the Federal University of Bahia. The sociodemographic profile evidenced in the first part of the study – previous article – showed a prevalence of elderly and predominantly female population; the conclusions of this article – second part of the study – revealed the most frequently diagnosed clinical conditions were those that are risk factors for illness and death from cardiovascular causes such as systemic arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia; obesity; osteoporosis and osteoarthritis also appear in a relevant way. Regarding clinical conditions related to the digestive system, gastroesophageal reflux disease, sliding hiatal hernia, esophagitis/gastritis, “epigastric discomfort” and “abdominal pain” are more frequently recorded in the group of patients using PPIs than in those not using the medication. It is proposed to carry out new studies that can assess and establish criteria for prescribing, monitoring and preventing side effects from the long-term use of prescribed drugs.