• Maria Meli, Maria Pia Raffa, Renato Malta, Ilaria Morreale, Luigi Aprea, and Natale D'Alessandro.
• Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Department of Hospital General Services, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico "P. Giaccone", via del Vespro 129, 90127, Palermo, Italy. maria.meli@unipa.it.
• Int J Clin Pharm. 2015 Dec 1; 37 (6): 1152-61.

BackgroundProton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most misused drugs both at the community and hospital level. Recently, possible risks have been underscored, suggesting the importance of limiting PPI use to proven indications.ObjectiveTo survey the appropriateness of PPI use in a University hospital in Italy. Setting Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico 'P. Giaccone', in Palermo, Italy.MethodA one day-observational study, reviewing patients' medical records to identify treatments with PPIs and the indications for their use. After discharge, a subgroup of the cohort was followed up to assess the continuation of therapy at home. Appropriateness was evaluated according to the indications stated in the official product information sheet and supported by the AIFA notes.Main Outcome MeasurePrevalence and appropriateness of PPI use in the hospital and after discharge.ResultsIn the index day 62.9 % of 343 evaluable patients received a PPI. In only 29.1 % of these, the treatment could be considered appropriate. The most frequent reasons for inappropriate treatment were stress ulcer prophylaxis in low risk patients and unwarranted gastro-protection in drug treated patients. 30.9 % of patients received PPIs for uncertain indications: of these, 25.7 % were "critical" patients admitted in non-ICU wards. Furthermore, as much as 88.2 % of anticancer drug treated patients received PPIs as gastroprotective agents. At discharge 48.6 % of patients received a prescription to continue PPI therapy at home and 75.9 % of the 83 followed up patients were found to be still taking these drugs after on average 3 months from discharge.ConclusionThis study confirms a high proportion of inappropriate PPI therapy into the hospital that translates in a prolonged unnecessary administration in the community setting. Further studies are needed to assess the cost-effectiveness of PPI therapy in subgroups of patients at moderate risk for gastric complications to optimize current guidelines.

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