Maha A AlMolaiki^1,2,3 , Mohammed Alessa⁴, Husam I Ardah⁵

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the appropriate use of stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) in non-critically ill hospitalized patients. Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort study that included all non-critically ill adult patients (n = 369) admitted to the General Medical Wards of King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The patients were administered proton pump inhibitors such as esomeprazole and omeprazole; histamine-2 receptor antagonists such as ranitidine; and cytoprotective agents such as sucralfate in different dosage regimens. Baseline characteristics, risk factors, and acid-suppressive therapy were evaluated based on therapeutic guidelines of the Society for Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) on stress ulcer prophylaxis. Results: A total of 369 patients were included in the study with mean age of 61.65 ± 18.83 years. Diabetes mellitus was the most encountered comorbidity 169 (45.8 %). Dual antiplatelet use was the most encountered medication 79 (21.94 %) with only 55 (14.9 %) patients meeting the criteria of the American Society for Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Therapeutic Guidelines on stress ulcer prophylaxis. Proton-pump inhibitors were the most used 358 (97.02 %) in acid suppressive therapy. Conclusion: Inappropriate use of stress ulcer prophylaxis is high in this study leading to increase in medication adverse effects. The findings of this study will help in implementing a comprehensive protocol to closely follow up on all admitted patients who use stress ulcer prophylaxis for certain indications.