Resumen

GRANCE MEZA, Myrian Monserratt; RIVEROS ADORNO, Marcos Alberto  y  ARIA ZAYA, Laura Silvana. Prescription of proton pump inhibitors in patients admitted to a clinical medical service department. Rev. virtual Soc. Parag. Med. Int. [online]. 2026, vol.13, n.1, e13122603.  Epub 29-Dic-2025. ISSN 2312-3893.  https://doi.org/10.18004/rvspmi/2312-3893/2026.e13122603.

Introduction: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are effective drugs in the treatment of conditions related to gastric acid secretion. Currently, PPIs are among the most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide. It has been observed that patients with valid indications for chronic PPI use tend to be older adults with multiple comorbidities who generally receive several medications. However, the high frequency of prescriptions without valid indications suggests a possible lack of knowledge of the recommendations established in clinical practice guidelines, which motivated this research.

Objective: To characterize the prescription of PPIs in patients admitted to the clinical medical service of the National Hospital, Itauguá, Paraguay, during the first quarter of 2025.

Materials and methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional design was used to characterize the use of PPIs in patients admitted to the clinical medical service. The information was obtained from their medical records. Sociodemographic variables, reasons for admission, and comorbidities were described.

Results: One hundred eighty-six medical records were analyzed, and 65.1% had a PPI prescription, most frequently in older adults, males, and those with comorbidities such as hypertension (52.9%) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (24%). A significant proportion of indications were not documented, with 18.2% presenting no comorbidities or risk factors for drug-induced gastropathies, suggesting potentially inappropriate use.

Conclusion: There is widespread use of PPIs, often without documented indications, making it necessary to implement institutional strategies to optimize PPI prescribing in hospitals.

Palabras clave : proton pump inhibitors; prescriptions; medication use.

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