Quantifying Candidacy for Deprescribing of Proton Pump Inhibitors among Long-Term Care Residents

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a commonly prescribed drug class used to inhibit gastric acid secretion. They are prescribed for both treatment and prophylaxis of several gastrointestinal conditions. Although PPIs can be used safely in the short term, several serious adverse effects have been reported following long-term use, including increased risk of falls and fragility fractures. Long-term care home (LTCH) residents represent a population in which the long-term adverse effects of PPIs can be significant and PPI deprescribing should be considered when appropriate.

To determine the proportion of LTCH residents with PPI prescriptions who were eligible for PPI deprescribing, and to examine vitamin B₁₂ deficiencies and fall risk in the study population.

This cross-sectional, multisite chart review involved LTCH residents who had an active PPI prescription during October 2016. A convenience sample of 150 charts was randomly selected, and the appropriateness of PPI deprescribing was determined using Canadian guidelines. Descriptive statistics were used to examine demographic characteristics, PPI dosing and indication, vitamin B₁₂ supplementation, fall history, and fall risk.

Three of the selected charts were excluded because of missing information. Of the 147 residents included in the chart review, 93 (63%) were candidates for deprescribing. PPI use for gastroesophageal reflux disease for more than 8 weeks without a deprescribing attempt in the past year was the most frequently observed opportunity for deprescribing (49/93 [53%]). Twenty-nine residents (20%) had no documented indication for PPI use. Thirteen residents (9%) had had a fall within the past 30 days, and 53 (36%) had a prescription for vitamin B₁₂ supplements and/or had low serum vitamin B₁₂ levels.

A majority of the residents whose charts were reviewed were candidates for PPI deprescribing. This finding suggests an opportunity for clinicians who care for LTCH residents to increase their deprescribing efforts.