Acid-suppressive medications are commonly used in hospitalized patients, but, to date, little is known about the overall use of these drugs in the hospital setting. AIM: To evaluate the appropriateness of acid-suppressive therapy in a large teaching hospital in northern Italy, and the fall-out of hospital prescription in general practice. METHODS: The use of antisecretory agents was monitored for 1 month in adult patients consecutively admitted to L. Sacco University Hospital by reviewing their clinical charts. The appropriateness of each prescription was reviewed jointly by two consultant gastroenterologists. RESULTS: A total of 46.8% of 799 hospitalized patients received acid-suppressive therapy. Ranitidine was the most frequently used drug (44.4%), followed by pantoprazole (31.8%) and omeprazole (23.0%). Stress ulcer prophylaxis and the prevention of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced ulcer accounted for 60.4% of the indications for use. Overall, 68% of prescriptions were not appropriate as determined by consensus review; 56.4% of patients receiving unnecessary prophylactic treatment whilst in hospital were discharged on therapy, and 46% were still receiving the treatment 3 months later. CONCLUSIONS: Acid-suppressive agents are over-used in hospitalized patients. Most of the inappropriate hospital prescriptions are for ulcer prophylaxis in low-risk patients. This unnecessary use may also induce inappropriate drug consumption in general practice.
Hospital use of acid-suppressive medications and its fall-out on prescribing in general practice: a 1-month survey / F. Parente, C. Cucino, S. Gallus, S. Bargiggia, S. Greco, L. Pastore, G. Bianchi Porro. - In: ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS. - ISSN 0269-2813. - 17:12(2003), pp. 1503-1506.
Titolo: | Hospital use of acid-suppressive medications and its fall-out on prescribing in general practice: a 1-month survey |
Autori: | CUCINO, CLAUDIA (Secondo) PASTORE, LUCA (Penultimo) BIANCHI PORRO, GABRIELE (Ultimo) |
Settore Scientifico Disciplinare: | Settore MED/12 - Gastroenterologia |
Data di pubblicazione: | 2003 |
Rivista: | |
Tipologia: | Article (author) |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2036.2003.01600.x |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 01 - Articolo su periodico |