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Proton pump inhibitors utilisation in older people in N ew Z ealand from 2005 to 2013
Author(s) -
Nishtala P. S.,
Soo L.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
internal medicine journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 1444-0903
DOI - 10.1111/imj.12757
Subject(s) - medicine , medical prescription , ethnic group , christian ministry , older people , population , gerontology , adverse effect , environmental health , family medicine , pharmacology , sociology , anthropology , philosophy , theology
Background The prescriptions for proton pump inhibitors ( PPI ) to treat acid‐related disorders continue to rise internationally and in N ew Z ealand. Concerns have been raised regarding its widespread use, costs and potential adverse effects in older people. Aims This study aimed to characterise the utilisation of PPI by older people (aged 65 years and older) in N ew Z ealand from 2005 to 2013. Methods Repeated cross‐sectional analysis of population‐level dispensing data was conducted from 1 J anuary 2005 to 31 D ecember 2013. Dispensing data for all PPI prescriptions from 2005 to 2013 were obtained from the M inistry of H ealth, N ew Z ealand. Utilisation was measured in defined daily doses ( DDD ) per 1000 older people per day using the W orld H ealth O rganization C ollaborating C entre for D rug Statistics Methodology anatomic, therapeutic and chemical classification system. Utilisation was standardised by sex, age, ethnicity and district health board. Results Overall PPI utilisation showed a 26.7% increase from 2005 to 2013, from 273.41 to 346.53 DDD /1000/day. The greatest utilisation was observed in individuals aged between 80 and 84 years. M iddle E astern/ L atin A merican/ A frican utilised more PPI compared with other ethnic groups. Conclusions Utilisation of PPI among older people in N ew Z ealand increased by a fifth from 2005 to 2013. Given the concerns surrounding the long‐term PPI use in older people, the appropriateness of the increased utilisation needs to be continuously re‐evaluated by prescribers and health policy makers.