Proton Pump Inhibitors Prescription Research Articles

Proton pump inhibitors and risk of severe COVID-19 in older people.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is a viral respiratory infection that can cause systemic disorders and lead to death, particularly in older people. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) increase the risk of enteric and lung infections. Considering the broad use of PPIs in older people, the potential role of PPIs in COVID-19 could be of dramatic significance. The objective of our study was to evaluate the link between PPIs and severe COVID-19 in older people. We performed a retrospective cohort study, including all patients aged ≥65, hospitalised for a diagnosis of COVID-19. Epidemiological, clinical and biological data were extracted and we performed an Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighing method based on a propensity score. From March 2020 to February 2021, a total of 834 patients were included, with a median age of 83 and 52.8% were male. A total of 410 patients had a PPIs prescription, 358 (87.3%) were long-term PPIs-users and 52 (12.7%) were recent PPIs-users. Among PPIs-users, 163 (39.8%) patients developed severe COVID-19 versus 113 (26.7%) in PPIs-non users (odds ratio (OR) = 1.59 [1.18-2.14]; P < 0.05). Moreover, the double dose PPI-users had a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 (OR = 3.36 [1.17-9.66]; P < 0.05) than the full dose PPI-users (OR = 2.15 [1.22-3.76]; P < 0.05) and the half dose PPI-users (OR = 1.64 [1.13-2.37]; P < 0.05). Our study reports evidence that the use of PPIs was associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 in older people.

Relationship between CYP2C19 genotypes and proton pump inhibitorsʹs pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics: review

The purpose of this review is to provide clinicians with information and a concise interpretation of the results of pharmacogenetic testing for the cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) genotype when choosing a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) dosage. PPIs are widely used for the treatment and prevention of common gastrointestinal diseases, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastric and duodenal ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and other hypersecretory conditions. Most PPIs are metabolized predominantly by cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) to form inactive metabolites, and the CYP2C19 genotype determines the action of PPIs, their efficacy and possible side effects. In clinical practice, a gastroenterologist or therapist is faced with problems of insufficient effectiveness or the development of adverse reactions when prescribing PPIs. Thus, consideration of CYP2C19 genotype appears to be necessary to determine the optimal PPI dosing regimen. The above served as a reason for generalizing in the presented review of literature data on the prescription of PPIs depending on the CYP2C19 genotype.

THE FOCUS ON INCREASED RISK OF FRACTURES IN THEIR PROLONGED USE

Proton pump inhibitors are the most effective drugs for the treatment of acid-dependent diseases. For a long time, proton pump inhibitors have been considered to be completely safe drugs both for short-term and long-term use. A number of modern clinical studies note that when prescribing proton pump inhibitors in high doses for a long time, the possibility of side effects should be taken into account. The purpose of the review is to study the effect of prolonged use of proton pump inhibitors on the condition of bone tissue and the risk of osteoporotic fractures. Materials and methods. A search was conducted in the PubMed and Scopus information databases for publications on the safety of using proton pump inhibitors, including sources published before December 1, 2023, with an emphasis on the influence of proton pump inhibitors on bone tissue and the possible risk of fractures. Results. According to numerous studies, prolonged use of proton pump inhibitors is associated with an increased risk of fractures of the hip, vertebrae and the wrist. An increased risk of fractures may be associated with hypergastrinemia and hypochlorhydria (due to inhibition of acid secretion by proton pump inhibitors), and electrolyte disorders (hypocalcemia). Conclusions. All the pros and cons of prescribing proton pump inhibitors in patients with a history of fractures associated with osteoporosis should be carefully considered. In the curation of comorbid/multimorbid patients, proton pump inhibitors should be used if medically required for as short duration as possible and at the minimum effective dose to relieve symptoms.

Primary and Specialty Care Trainees' Perceptions About Proton Pump Inhibitor Use.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely prescribed with proven efficacy in many indications, yet longstanding controversy about potential adverse events persists. We aimed to acquire knowledge about perceptions of outpatient PPI long-term prescribing (≥8 wk) among primary and specialty care trainees at 2 Canadian Universities. Family medicine, internal medicine, and gastroenterology trainees completed a web-based survey that included 20 clinical scenarios assessing trainee knowledge about PPI efficacy. Contextual PPI prescribing decisions were also elicited, balancing possible PPI indications versus side effects. Management strategies were compared between junior and senior trainees, as well as across training programs. Over a 4-month period,163 trainees (age <26 y: 12%; age 26 to 45: 88%; 59% females) participated in the survey (family medicine: 51%, internal medicine: 44%, and gastroenterology: 5%); 83% were considered junior residents. Only 42% had received formal education on prescribing PPI long-term. Overall, 93% believed they would benefit from such teaching, with 98% stating they would follow related guidelines. No between-group differences were noted in knowledge of appropriate PPI indications nor possible side effects when comparing juniors to seniors, or among different specialties. Across different management scenarios, inappropriate PPI discontinuation was chosen by 14.3% to 67.2%, whereas inappropriate PPI continuation was reported in up to 57%. Trainee seniority and specialty did not differ in appropriate deprescribing rates. Training level and primary versus specialty care settings are associated with frequent inappropriate PPI prescribing and deprescribing. These findings highlight the need for and may inform future educational programs on PPI usage.

Gastrointestinal bleeding among 151 patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis for end-stage renal failure: A 5-year follow-up study.

Gastrointestinal bleeding is one serious complication of patients undergoing hemodialysis with end-stage renal failure. The present study aimed to evaluate risks and clinical features of real-world clinical data on upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding in patients undergoing hemodialysis during a 5-year longitudinal observation period. This study included 151 patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis at Takagi Hospital between December 2017 and December 2022. Clinical data from December 2017 were recorded, and upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding, mortality, prescribed medications, and bone fractures were examined during the five-year observation period. Of 151 patients, 32 (21.2%:4.2% per year) experienced bleeding, 24 had upper gastrointestinal bleeding, 7 had lower gastrointestinal bleeding, and one had an unknown origin of bleeding. Ulcers or erosions primarily cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding without Helicobacter pylori infection, whereas patients with H pylori eradication are more likely to experience bleeding caused by vascular lesions, often accompanied by underlying comorbidities. The prophylactic effects of proton pump inhibitors and histamine-2 receptor blockers were limited in hemodialysis patients, as 15 out of 24 patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (62.5%) were prescribed these medications. The mortality rate in patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding (71.4%) was higher than that in those without bleeding (33.6%) (P < .05). All patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding were prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or aspirin. In this study, endoscopic hemostasis was successfully achieved. The present study indicated that the incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding during hemodialysis was relatively high. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding may develop even with the prescription of proton pump inhibitors. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding was a complication in hemodialysis patients under serious pathological condition with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and or aspirin.

Evaluation of Appropriate Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Non-critically Ill Patients in Tertiary Medical Center: A Retrospective Study.

There are concerns about indiscriminate prescriptions and the inappropriate use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) without any clear indications, especially among noncritically hospitalized patients. This study aimed to characterize PPI prescriptions among non-critically hospitalized patients in a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the King Abdulaziz University Hospital between June and August 2021. The data of adult patients who received PPIs on hospital admission in the medical and surgical wards were collected and analyzed for appropriateness based on the current international guidelines and recommendations. A total of 174 patient records were included in this study. The proportion of patients with appropriate and inappropriate PPI prescriptions was 67.24% (n=117) and 32.76% (n=57), respectively. Female patients (risk=50.00%, 95% CI: 36.89-63.11, p<0.001) were more likely to receive an inappropriate PPI prescription than their male counterparts (risk=33.33%, 95% CI: 24.56-43.43, p<0.001). Intravenous omeprazole 40 mg once daily was the most frequently prescribed PPI (n=62). The hospital length of stay differed significantly between the groups of patients who received appropriate and inappropriate PPIs (24.56 ± 47.14 vs. 13.50 ± 13.84; t=2.34, 95% CI: 1.72-20.4; p=0.02). However, there was no significant difference in the total therapy duration in both the groups (3.76 ± 2.50 vs. 4.75 ± 3.32, t=-1.62, 95%CI: -1.79-0.17; p=0.11). The findings show a high trend of inappropriate PPI prescriptions. Hence, educational programs are recommended to encourage healthcare professionals to stick to the approved guidelines when prescribing PPIs.

Proton Pump Inhibitors in Germany: Status Quo of a Growing Market.

The volume of prescriptions for proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) remains high, although the literature increasingly points to excessive prescribing in relation to guideline recommendations. No very recent data is available on the specific situation in Germany, particularly on the proportion of PPI consumption from over-the-counter (OTC) sales and self-selection, following PPI down-scheduling. The aim of this study was to determine the actual amount of prescribed and OTC PPIs in Germany. For this retrospective study, several IQVIA databases were used, representing all prescriptions billed to statutory and private health insurers in Germany, as well as OTC sales. Analyses were performed for the period November 2020 to October 2021 or partially November 2018 to October 2021 and were descriptive in nature. Mainly, data were collected from IQVIATM PharmaScope National® as well as IQVIA TM DPM® databases. A total of 2.87 billion PPI tablets were shown to have been sold between November 2020 and October 2021, with most drugs prescribed in the largest packages and strengths. In addition, the OTC PPI market increased by an average of 14% per year over a 3-year period. The results of this study suggest the substantial size of the PPI market in Germany is based on prescriptions, a consistent increase in OTC PPI purchases and a recent increase in prescriptions.

Gastric protection in cardiological practice: an Italian survey on the prescriptive attitude.

Gastric protection is commonly considered in patients who use medications able to damage gastric mucosa, mainly NSAIDs, antiplatelets, and anticoagulants. Therefore, cardiologists may frequently prescribe drugs to protect the stomach from damaging medications. The present survey investigated the attitude toward using gastric protection by a panel of Italian cardiologists. A self-administered questionnaire included three sections concerning practical problems on this issue in clinical practice facing patients with cardiological disorders. The questionnaire was administered in three successive months. Ninety Italian cardiologists completed the questionnaire. They all consider gastric protection, mainly when prescribing potentially noxious medications. Usually, cardiologists prescribe proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in 60% of their patients. Alginates and mucosal protectors are less considered. As a rule, cardiologists request investigations if the initial treatment fails. Moreover, the safety issue is carefully assessed. Furthermore, this survey experience significantly affected the approach to managing patients who require gastric protection. The participants carefully considered the prescriptive appropriateness of gastric protectors, mainly concerning the PPIs use. Consequently, PPIs were discontinued when inappropriate. A new medical device with triple action (antacid, mucosal protectors, and anti-reflux) contributed to this new attitude. The present survey underscored that the appropriateness in prescribing gastric protectors is clinically relevant. In addition, a longitudinal survey experience contributed to change the practical approach by highlighting the prescriptive appropriateness of PPIs, and using a new medical device with multiple gastroprotective activities.

Adherence to prescription proton pump inhibitor therapy amongst individuals diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus.

In the United States, clinical guidelines recommend daily use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) amongst individuals diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus to decrease the risk of progression to dysplasia and neoplasia. Prior studies documenting adherence to PPIs in this population have not characterized heterogeneity in adherence patterns. Factors that may relate to adherence are incompletely described. We used administrative claims data from the Merative MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database to conduct a retrospective study of adherence to prescription PPIs. A cohort of individuals diagnosed with incident Barrett's esophagus between 2010 and 2019 was identified. Group-based trajectory models were generated to detect longitudinal adherence subgroups. 79 701 individuals with a new diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus were identified. The best fitting model detected five distinct adherence trajectory groups: consistently high (44% of the population), moderate decline (18%), slow decline (12%), rapid decline (10%), and decline-then-increase (16%). Compared to individuals starting PPIs, those already using PPIs were less likely to have a declining adherence pattern. Other factors associated with membership in a declining adherence group included (but were not limited to): female sex, having a past diagnosis of anxiety or depression, and having one or more emergency department visits in the past year. Using an exploratory method, we detected heterogeneity in adherence to prescription PPIs. Less than half of individuals were classified into the consistently high adherence group, suggesting that many individuals with Barrett's esophagus receive inadequate pharmacologic therapy.

Clinical practices and adherence to guidelines for eosinophilic esophagitis: A European survey

BackgroundWe aimed to assess the clinical practices and adherence to guidelines for adult Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) patients in Europe. MethodsA cross-sectional web survey containing 23 questions was distributed to members of the European Consortium for Eosinophilic Diseases of the Gastrointestinal Tract (EUREOS) and the Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists and digestive endoscopists (AIGO). We conducted a subgroup analysis to assess the impact of EoE expertise and practice setting on clinical practices. Results228 physicians from 18 European countries participated. Adherence to guidelines varied from 72% to 98.6%. 83.4% of total respondents obtained ≥ 6 esophageal biopsies in suspected EoE. 42% of total respondents, 82.5% of EoE experts (vs. non-experts 33%; P < 0.0001), and 55% of academics (vs. 29.1 non-academics; P < 0.0001) routinely used the EREFS score. Regarding first-line therapy, 82.9% of total respondents prescribed proton pump inhibitors, 41.6% topical steroids, 20.6% elimination diets, and 9.2% combination therapies. Only 72% of respondents used symptoms and endoscopy with <15 Eosinophils/HPF to define treatment response. 21.5% of all respondents did not prescribe maintenance therapies and 12.7% discontinued therapy before response evaluation endoscopy. ConclusionOur findings revealed significant heterogeneity in practice patterns and suboptimal adherence to EoE guidelines across Europe. Expertise in EoE and working in an academic hospital positively influenced clinical practices and adherence to guidelines.

Proton pump inhibitors in esophageal atresia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is frequent and prolonged in esophageal atresia (EA) pediatric patients requiring routine use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). However, there are still controversies on the prophylactic use of PPIs and the efficacy of PPIs on GERD and EA complications in this special condition. The aim of the study is to assess the prophylactic use of PPIs in pediatric patients with EAand its complications. We, therefore, performed a systematic review including all reports on the subject from 1980 to 2022. We conducted meta-analysis of the pooled proportion of PPI-and no PPI groups using random effect model, meta-regression, and estimate heterogeneity by heterogeneity index I2 . Thirty-eight reports on the topic met the criteria selection, representing a cumulative 6044 patients with EA. Prophylactic PPI prescription during the first year of life does not appear to prevent GERD persistence at follow-up and is not associated with a significantly reduced rate of antireflux surgical procedures (ARP). PPIs improve peptic esophagitis and induce remission of eosinophilic esophagitis at a rate of 50%. Their effect on other GERD outcomes is uncertain. Evidence suggests that PPIs do not prevent anastomotic stricture, Barrett's esophagus, or respiratory complications. PPI use in EA can improve peptic and eosinophilic esophagitis but is ineffective on the other EA complications. Side effects of PPIs in EA are almost unknown.

Trend analysis of proton pump inhibitor consumption and expenditure: The real-world evidence.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) constitute a widely utilized pharmaceutical class, frequently associated with notable instances of therapeutic inappropriateness. Such patterns of misuse not only contribute to elevated healthcare expenditure, but may also exacerbate clinical conditions in certain patients. A comprehensive analysis was conducted between 2019 and 2023 to assess all prescriptions dispensed using the Anatomical, Therapeutic and Chemical (ATC) classification system, which allowed trends among primary PPIs to be visualized. This was achieved by calculating the defined daily dose (DDD) and then defining the total expenditure incurred on these drugs. With regard to the prescription of PPIs, an upward trend in consumption was observed with a decreasing expenditure, due to the phenomena of drug generics and increased competition between pharmaceutical companies, ranging from €9,512,481.22 in the first six months of 2019 to €8,509,820.80 in the first sixmonths of 2023. From 2019 to 2023, consumption increased by approximately 3 million DDDs for a total ranging from 18,483,167.59 DDDs to 21,480,871.00 DDDs. Pantoprazole and esomeprazole, the most expensive drugs compared to omeprazole, rabeprazole and lansoprazole, accounted for 61.4% of therapies in the first sixmonths of 2023, up from 2019, where these two drugs were prescribed 54.9%. Within this analysis, we provide an illustrative representation of the prescribing trends for PPIs within a European context. Omeprazole, rabeprazole and lansoprazole appear to be the cheapest drugs compared to pantoprazole and esomeprazole. However, the results show that the most widely used PPIs, despite their therapeutic equivalence, are precisely the high-cost ones, thus generating higher expenditure for central governments.

Consequences of long-term therapy with proton pump inhibitors

Introduction and purpose:&#x0D; Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were first developed in the late 1970s and introduced to the market in 1989. They are one of the most commonly prescribed medications worldwide.&#x0D; PPIs reduce gastric acid secretion in the stomach by inhibiting the hydrogen-potassium ATPase enzyme. They have revolutionized the treatment of diseases related to excessive stomach acid secretion. Among the drugs belonging to this class, we should mention omeprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole, dexlansoprasole and rabeprazole. &#x0D; A brief description of the state of knowledge:&#x0D; Since the 1990s, the use of proton pump inhibitors has been consistently increasing. Doctors prescribe these drugs more frequently, in higher doses, and for longer durations, although such practices are only sometimes fully justified.&#x0D; Although using them for a short period (less than eight weeks) is relatively safe, there is growing evidence of possible risks linked to their extended use. Many studies highlight the impact of long-term therapy on the development of tumors, deficiencies in micronutrients, the functioning of the skeletal, urinary, nervous, and cardiovascular systems, and the development of infections and diabetes. &#x0D; Summary (conclusions):&#x0D; Indeed, long-term therapy with proton pump inhibitors has an impact on the functioning of the body. Considering the increasing popularity of proton pump inhibitors and their expanding use, it is worth contemplating a more prudent prescription of these drugs by doctors.&#x0D; It should also be noted that the majority of studies are based on prescription PPIs. Future researchers must also take over-the-counter (OTC) medications into account.

Proton Pump Inhibitors Use in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Population-Based Study.

Kidney transplant recipients are commonly prescribed proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), but due to concern for polypharmacy, chronic use should be limited. The objective was to describe PPI use in kidney transplant recipients beyond their first year of transplant to better inform and support deprescribing initiatives. We conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study using linked health care databases. This study was conducted in Alberta, Canada. We included all prevalent adult, kidney-only transplant recipients between April 2008 and December 2017 who received their transplant between May 2002 and December 2017. The primary outcome was ongoing or new PPI use and patterns of use, including frequency and duration of therapy, and assessment of indication for PPI use. We ascertained baseline characteristics, covariate information, and outcome data from the Alberta Kidney Disease Network (AKDN). We compared recipients with evidence of a PPI prescription in the 3 months prior to study entry to those with a histamine-2-receptor antagonist (H2Ra) fill and those with neither. We identified 1823 kidney transplant recipients, of whom 868 (48%) were on a PPI, 215 (12%) were on an H2Ra, and 740 (41%) were on neither at baseline. Over a median follow-up of 5.4 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 2.6-9.3), there were almost 45 000 unique PPI prescriptions dispensed, the majority (80%) of which were filled by initial PPI users. Recipients who were on a PPI at baseline would spend 91% (IQR = 70-98) of their graft survival time on a PPI in follow-up, and nephrologists were the main prescribers. We identified an indication for ongoing PPI use in 54% of recipients with the most common indication being concurrent antiplatelet use (26%). Our kidney transplant recipients have access to universal health care coverage which may limit generalizability. We identified common gastrointestinal indications for PPI use but did not include rare conditions due to concerns about the validity of diagnostic codes. In addition, symptoms suggestive of reflux may not be well coded as the focus of follow-up visits is more likely to focus on kidney transplant. Many kidney transplant recipients are prescribed a PPI at, or beyond, the 1-year post-transplant date and are likely to stay on a PPI in follow-up. Almost half of the recipients in our study did not have an identifiable indication for ongoing PPI use. Nephrologists frequently prescribe PPIs to kidney transplant recipients and should be involved in deprescribing initiatives to reduce polypharmacy.

Prescribing Portraits to Optimize Prescribing of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Long-Term Care: PPI-T STOP Study.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most commonly prescribed medications in Canada, particularly for older adults (at least 65 years of age). Overprescribing of long-term PPIs leads to health care system waste and is associated with adverse effects, including infections and fractures. The high prevalence of PPI prescribing in long-term care (LTC) facilities prompted an evaluation of systematic approaches to PPI deprescribing. To assess the impact of individualized prescribing portraits, a type of audit-and-feedback quality improvement intervention, on PPI deprescribing in the LTC setting. This prospective, nonblinded, uncontrolled, pre-post quality improvement study was conducted from December 2021 to April 2022 at a 126-bed LTC facility in Vancouver, British Columbia. A PPI prescribing portrait was developed for each prescriber (n = 5) at the LTC facility, containing the prescriber's personal PPI prescribing metrics as compared with those of their peers across all LTC facilities within the same health authority; an evidence summary for PPI deprescribing; and a personalized list of the prescriber's PPI-treated residents, along with their respective PPI indications and strategies for PPI deprescribing. Three months after the prescribers received their PPI prescribing portraits, the number and types of PPI deprescribing orders were recorded. The implementation of prescribing portraits resulted in 17 (61%) of 28 PPI-treated residents receiving a deprescribing order by the end of the study period. Of the 28 PPI-treated residents, 20 were determined to be eligible for PPI deprescribing according to the evidence summary presented in the prescribing portrait; of these 20 residents, 16 (80%) appropriately received PPI deprescribing. Individualized prescribing portraits had the potential to increase evidence-based PPI deprescribing among LTC residents, beyond the extent of deprescribing previously achieved through standard of care.

The impact of an education program on the appropriate prescription of proton pump inhibitors in hospitalized internal medicine services patients

The impact of an education program on the appropriate prescription of proton pump inhibitors in hospitalized internal medicine services patients

BEHIND THE PROTON PUMP INHIBITOR PRESCRIPTION: AN INTERNATIONAL SURVEY ON PHYSICIAN PRACTICES AND KNOWLEDGE.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely prescribed worldwide, often resulting in their overuse. Consequently, it is essential to identify the likely causes of this overuse to facilitate their appropriate prescription. This study aims to assess physician prescribing patterns, their knowledge of PPIs, and factors affecting their knowledge. An online survey was conducted among Latin American and Spanish physicians, collecting the following data: professional information, patterns of PPI usage, familiarity with published evidence, and the management approach in three hypothetical case-scenarios. Participant knowledge was categorized as sufficient or insufficient based on the results of the case scenarios. Subsequently, subgroup analysis was performed based on physician training level, years in practice, specialty, and time since the last PPI literature review. A total of 371 physicians participated in the survey. Thirty-eight percent frequently prescribe PPIs, primarily for prophylactic purposes (57.9%). Eighty percent were unfamiliar with PPI deprescribing strategies, and 54.4% rarely reviewed the ongoing indication of patients taking a PPI. Sixty-four percent demonstrated sufficient knowledge in the case-scenarios. A significant association was observed between specialty type (medical vs surgical: 69.4% vs 46.8%, P<0.001), the timing of the PPI indication literature review (<5 years vs >5 years: 71.4% vs 58.7%, P=0.010), and sufficient knowledge. While most participants prescribed PPIs regularly and for prophylaxis purposes, the majority were unfamiliar with deprescribing strategies and rarely reviewed ongoing indications. Sufficient knowledge is correlated with recent literature reviews and medical specialty affiliation. • The study aims to evaluate physician prescribing patterns, assess their knowledge of proton pump inhibitors, and identify factors influencing their knowledge. • An online survey of Latin American and Spanish physicians assessed proton pump inhibitor usage patterns and case-scenario responses, categorizing knowledge, and conducting subgroup analysis based on training, experience, specialty, and literature review timing. • Thirty-eight percent of surveyed physicians commonly prescribed proton pump inhibitors, and among them, 80% were unfamiliar with deprescribing strategies, with 54.4% rarely reviewing ongoing indications. • Sufficient knowledge was correlated with recent literature reviews and medical specialty affiliations.

Improving the feasibility of deprescribing proton pump inhibitors: GPs' insights on barriers, facilitators, and strategies.

The prevalent overprescribing of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) poses health risks from prolonged use. GPs play a key role in initiating deprescribing PPIs, so understanding their decision-making factors and strategies to improve feasibility is crucial. This study aimed to investigate the perspectives of GPs on deprescribing PPIs with a focus on identifying facilitators, barriers, and strategies to enhance feasibility in clinical settings. A qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews was conducted with nine GPs or trainees. The thematic analysis of the interviews was conducted using NVivo R1 (2020). Four main categories were identified: 1) Inappropriate prescribing of PPIs, 2) Facilitators for deprescribing PPIs, 3) Barriers to deprescribing PPIs, 4) Feasibility of deprescribing PPIs. GPs acknowledged excessive and often inappropriate PPI prescribing, with a lack of deprescribing efforts mainly due to time constraints. Other key barriers included patient reluctance, fear of symptom recurrence, and unawareness of long-term risks. Patient-initiated request is key facilitator for deprescribing PPIs. GPs emphasized the need for collaboration with healthcare professionals, clear guidelines, improved digital support, increased physician availability, and raising awareness among providers and patients to enhance deprescribing feasibility. GPs are calling for a multifaceted approach to improve the feasibility of deprescribing PPIs, involving patient-centered approaches, systemic optimizations, support from other healthcare professionals, and provider-centered strategies to emphasize the importance of deprescribing PPIs.

Proton pump inhibitors associated with an increased risk of mortality in elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The increased use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in the elderly has raised concerns about potential severe adverse effects. Our systematic review investigated the mortality associated with PPI use in elderly populations. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for relevant publications until August 2022. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs, and observational studies on the association between proton pump inhibitors and mortality in the elderly. To estimate the pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI), the inverse-variance random effect model was used. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test. Subgroup analyses were performed by follow-up period, population, and study design. A total of 4 RCTs and 36 cohort studies were included in the meta-analysis. Four RCTs showed that there was no significant association between PPIs and the risk of death. From 23 observational studies (26 cohorts), the use of proton pump inhibitors was not significantly associated with increased mortality in the elderly (RR 1.14; 95% CI, 0.90-1.45). However, when controlling for covariates from 33 observational studies (41 cohorts), proton pump inhibitors in older adults aged 50years or more were significantly associated with a 15% higher risk of mortality compared to nonusers (RR 1.15; 95% CI, 1.10-1.20). Our meta-analysis of RCTs found that PPIs did not show a significant association with increased mortality risk in older adults. However, the meta-analysis of cohort studies and long-term follow-up studies showed a higher increased risk of death with PPI use in older adults. The prescription of PPIs in patients aged 50years or older should be carefully considered.

Is it always Laryngopharyngeal Reflux? How Voice Disorders Can Manifest as LPR

Introduction. Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) manifests with a constellation of common throat symptoms and inconclusive signs on laryngoscopic exam. It is a diagnosis, often made clinically, that can lead to prescriptions of proton pump inhibitors that are unnecessary and potentially harmful. Glottic insufficiency (GI) and the accompanying hyperfunctional laryngeal behaviors can also present with similar, common throat complaints that may or may not include a qualitative change to the voice. Methods. This is a reflection article. It is written to summarize, explain, and support with evidence the opinion of the author on the topic of how symptoms of voice disorders can easily be mistaken for symptoms of LPR. The offered reflection is based on his experience, research and the available literature. Reflection. This article intends to explore the similarities between GI and LPR, how to ultimately differentiate them and how to approach treatment with a broader differential diagnosis. Conclusion. LPR and GI can present with identical, vague throat, and voice symptoms. Empiric medication trials, behavioral interventions and objective laryngovideostroboscopy, impedance-based reflux, and esophageal motility testing may all be needed, sometimes in a trial and error fashion, to correctly diagnose and treat a patient’s symptoms.