Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
di Vora, KG.
The use and knowledge about proton pump inhibitors in the general population of Austria.
[ Diplomarbeit/Master Thesis (UNI) ] University of Graz; 2020. pp.70.
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Stadlbauer-Köllner Vanessa
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) rank among the most prescribed drugs worldwide and are valuable tools in the therapy of gastric acid-related diseases. However, they are often prescribed without evident indication and the therapy often exceeds the recommended duration. Motivated by sky-high sales of PPI in Austria and the unparalleled compliance of patients during PPI usage, we inquired the patients’ motivation and knowledge regarding their PPI use. We constructed an anonymous personal interview questionnaire consisting of 21 questions and asked a total of 441 consecutive PPI-buying costumers of 2 pharmacies in Carinthia and one in Styria to participate in the poll. The collected data were then analyzed with SPSS26. The data collected through the questionnaires showed that 81% of the questioned population took a high dose of PPI daily for over 12 months, some even as long as 20 years. 22.7% of the participants didn’t know why they were taking the PPI. Regarding the mechanism of action 88,4% of the questioned didn’t know how PPIs work and only 13.9% of the participants knew about and could name side effects. It was also observed that people with higher levels of education could state the mechanism of action and side effects more easily than people with lower levels of education. 87.2% of PPI users would be prepared to stop the PPI intake. Out of this group 69.1% claimed that they would stop the therapy if their general practitioner recommended it. Long term intake of PPI is common in Austria, but patients are oblivious about the working mechanism and possible side effect of PPI. However, the majority would reconsider taking a PPI, if their general practitioner recommended it. This points toward a negligent amount of medical oversight and calls for a more stringent adherence to the prescription guidelines.