Proton pump inhibitors and 1-year risk of adverse outcomes after discharge from internal medicine wards: an observational study in the REPOSI cohort

Proton pump inhibitors are widely prescribed at hospital discharge from internal medicine wards and inappropriate use is common. We retrospectively conducted a survival analysis on data collected from the Registro Politerapie SIMI (REPOSI) registry to evaluate the 1-year risk of hospitalization or mortality associated with the use of PPI, with a particular focus on the appropriateness of use and newly initiated prescriptions at discharge. 7280 patients were discharged from hospital and 4579 (62.9%) had a PPI prescription. The use of PPI was significantly associated with 1-year risk of mortality in the univariate model (hazard ratio (HR) 1.33, p = 0.0012) and also when adjusted for confounders (adjusted HR 1.47, p = 0.0009). In the sensitivity analysis, new PPI prescription use at discharge was associated with an increased risk of mortality (adjusted HR of 1.53, p = 0.006). Inappropriate use was also linked to a nearly 60% higher risk of 1-year mortality and 27% increased risk of 1-year re-hospitalization. Among new PPI users, inappropriate use was associated with nearly 70% increased risk of 1-year mortality (HR 1.69). PPI use was associated with an increased risk of 1-year mortality and re-hospitalization in older adults discharged from hospitals. A higher risk of mortality was observed among new inappropriate PPI users, underscoring the importance of carefully evaluating the unnecessary initiation of new medications at discharge to maintain a favorable benefit–risk ratio. Impact of findings on practice statements. Proton pump inhibitors are among the most commonly prescribed medications. Use of proton pump inhibitors at hospital discharge was associated with a risk of 1-year mortality. Unnecessary PPI use was associated with higher risk of mortality. Patients discharged from internal medicine wards had high rates of inappropriate PPI use. The unnecessary initiation of new drugs at discharge for a favorable benefit–risk ratio was evaluated.