[Anti-ulcer drug consumption in Spain]

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.