Factors influencing compliance in long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy in general practice

Long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prescribing in general practice is co mmon, but only a minority of patients request their prescriptions regularly . This study determined factors linked with compliance using questionnaires and diary cards. The chief factors determining whether or not patients too k their PPIs were the presence or severity of symptoms and the desire to re main in personal control, together with a fear of side-effects and lack of knowledge about the drugs. As most such prescribing is for uncomplicated ga stro-oesophageal reflux disease, on-demand therapy should now be formally a dvocated.