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[Anti-ulcer drug consumption in Spain].
A Carvajal1, J García del Pozo, L del Olmo
1Instituto de Farmacoepidemiología, Universidad de Valladolid. carvajal@ife.med.uva.es
Atencion Primaria
|May 20, 1999
Summary
Despite the introduction of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy, the consumption of ulcer medication significantly increased in Spain. This suggests that new treatments have not reduced the overall use of traditional ulcer drugs.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Gastroenterology
- Public Health
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a major cause of peptic ulcers.
- Therapies to eradicate H. pylori were introduced to reduce ulcer-related complications and medication use.
- Ulcer medication consumption patterns before and after H. pylori eradication therapy introduction were not well-documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of H. pylori eradication therapy on the consumption of traditional ulcer medications in Spain.
- To analyze trends in the use of specific ulcer and gastric protection drugs.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal, retrospective study design was employed.
- Data on pharmaceutical products for ulcers (AO2B group) dispensed by Social Security in Spain from 1988 to 1997 were analyzed.
- Consumption was measured in daily doses per 1000 inhabitants.
Main Results:
- Ulcer medication consumption increased significantly from 5 to 19 daily doses per 1000 inhabitants between 1988 and 1997.
- Omeprazole and ranitidine were the most frequently used active principles in 1997.
- Use of gastric protection drugs also increased, but remained lower than anti-H2 drugs and proton pump inhibitors.
Conclusions:
- H. pylori eradication therapy has not led to a reduction in ulcer medication use in Spain.
- Increased consumption of anti-H2 drugs and proton pump inhibitors may contribute to the overall rise in ulcer medication use.