Pattern of Proton Pump Inhibitors Use Among Patients Within Emergency Department of Al-Hakeem General Hospital in Najaf City-Iraq

Abstract

<top> Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) as one of the most frequently prescribed medications for their acid-suppressing effects. Their using continuously growing annually in all over the world. With the endless expansion of their market making the wide utilization of this pharmaceutical class frequently associated with notable instances of therapeutic inappropriateness where this phenomenon positions serious questions about the appropriateness of prescription of these drugs globally. Accordingly, current study aimed to evaluate the pattern of PPI using among patients within emergency department (ED) of single Iraqi hospital. Where there were no similar studies evaluate the appropriateness of PPIs use was had been made previously. An observational, prospective cross-sectional study performed in March 2024 included 188 patients who visited ED for non-surgical complaint at Al-Hakeem General Hospital in Al-Najaf city/Iraq. Of the total cohort, 43.09% of patients received a PPI as a part of their medical regimen in ED. Omeprazole was the mainstay prescribed medication among this medical class, it used in 91.35% of patients where it given as IV doses. Of the total patients who treated with PPI in ED, 23.45% were already taking a PPI as a part of their standard medical regimen before ED visit. Among patients received PPI in ED, 39.5% were on medication with an incorrect scheduling and/or dosage. The appropriateness, dosage and regimen correctness were noted to increase with age. Result of the current study revealed the over prescription of PPI both pre and throughout ED visit with an elevated % of inappropriate use in both settings.