THE USE OF LONG-TERM ACID-SUPPRESSION THERAPY

Citation
Gp. Rubin et al., THE USE OF LONG-TERM ACID-SUPPRESSION THERAPY, British journal of clinical practice, 49(3), 1995, pp. 119-120
Citations number
6
Categorie Soggetti
Medicine, General & Internal
ISSN journal
00070947
Volume
49
Issue
3
Year of publication
1995
Pages
119 - 120
Database
ISI
SICI code
0007-0947(1995)49:3<119:TUOLAT>2.0.ZU;2-V
Abstract
Drug therapy to suppress gastric acid secretion is commonly used in th e management of dyspepsia, many patients taking such therapy over long periods of time. An audit of patients on long-term (>12 months) acid- suppression therapy was carried out in the two practices providing pri mary healthcare to a town in Northeast England. Patients on continuous therapy (>10 months' supply in the previous year) and intermittent th erapy (6-10 months' supply in the previous year) were identified throu gh computerised prescribing records. Their written and computer record s were scrutinised to determine diagnosis, duration of therapy, use of NSAIDs and other features. A total of 365 patients were identified (2 08 men, 157 women): 132 were on intermittent and 233 on continuous the rapy. Of the total, 83% were over 45 years and one-fifth were taking N SAIDs. Of the 310 patients investigated for their dyspepsia, only 250 had a positive diagnosis, of which duodenal ulcer (154) was the most c ommon.