title: [A survey of gastroprotective drugs: prescription-indication in hospitalized patients].
abstract: Prescription rates of anti-ulcer drugs in hospitals and their spill-over to general practice have risen over the last few years, increasing pharmaceutical expenses. The aim of this study was to analyze gastroprotective drug prescription habits in our hospital by assessing both prevalence and adherence to approved indications. An observational study of prescription-indication was performed with 2 cross sections separated by 6 months to avoid selection bias. We found overprescription of gastroprotective drugs, mainly proton pump inhibitors for the prevention of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug-induced ulcer (17.1%). Overall, 77.6% of prescriptions had no acceptable indication, despite the availability of a specific protocol produced by the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee in our center. There was a high prevalence of prescriptions for non-approved indications such as prophylaxis in patients administered corticosteroids without non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (25.7%). New programs to train clinicians and clinical managers in rational drug use are required.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, La Coruña, España. alvarohermida@tiscali.es
authors.forename: Alvaro Hermida
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Ameijeiras
authors.forename: Belén Cabana
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Vicente Lorenzo
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Zúñiga
mesh_terms: D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077402:Pantoprazole
chemical_list: D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D000077402:Pantoprazole; D009853:Omeprazole