Original Article
Copyright ©2011 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. Aug 6, 2011; 2(4): 27-35
Published online Aug 6, 2011. doi: 10.4292/wjgpt.v2.i4.27
Stress ulcer prophylaxis guidelines: Are they being implemented in Lebanese health care centers?
Abeer Zeitoun, Maya Zeineddine, Hani Dimassi
Abeer Zeitoun, Maya Zeineddine, Hani Dimassi, Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, Lebanese American University, PO Box 36, Byblos, Lebanon
Author contributions: Zeitoun A designed the study, created the data collection form, was involved in data analysis and was responsible for writing the manuscript; Zeineddine M was responsible for supervising data collection, performing data entry and revising the manuscript; Dimassi H performed the statistical analysis and wrote up the results.
Correspondence to: Abeer A Zeitoun, Pharm D, Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, Lebanese American University, PO Box 36, Mail Box: F74, Byblos,Lebanon. abeer.zeitoun@lau.edu.lb
Telephone: +961-9-547254-2419 Fax: +961-9-547256
Received: January 23, 2011
Revised: July 11, 2011
Accepted: July 18, 2011
Published online: August 6, 2011
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the current practice of stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) in Lebanese Health care centers.

METHODS: A multi-center prospective chart review study was conducted over 8 mo. A questionnaire was distributed to pharmacy students who collected data on demographics, SUP medications, dose, route, duration and associated risk factors. The appropriateness of SUP use was determined as per American Society of Health-System Pharmacists guidelines. Institutional review board approval was obtained from each hospital center.

RESULTS: A total of 1004 patients were included. 67% of the patients who received prophylaxis did not have an indication for SUP. The majority (71.6%) of the patients who were administered parenteral drugs can tolerate oral medications. Overall, the regimen of acid-suppressant drugs was suboptimal in 87.6% of the sample. This misuse was mainly observed in non-teaching hospitals.

CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the need, in Lebanese hospitals, to establish clinical practice guidelines for the use of SUP; mainly in non-critical care settings.

Keywords: Stress ulcer prophylaxis, Lebanese hospitals, Proton-pump inhibitors, Histamine 2 receptor antagonists, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists guidelines