There may be good reasons for the use of PPIs amongst older people in aged facilities

A great deal has been written about how older people who take PPIs for long periods of time may be susceptible to adverse events. A team of Australian pharmacist and nurse researchers has just published a study that examined the use of PPIs in residential aged care facilities. 383 residents in six facilities were studied, with 196 (51%) treated with a PPI, 45 (23%) of whom were prescribed a high dose. The majority – 173 (88%), had documented clinical indications or received medications that can increase bleeding risk. Three-quarters of PPI users with gastroesophageal reflux disease or dyspepsia had received a PPI for > 8 weeks. Although it is always worthwhile reviewing the continuing need for treatment and considering “step-down” approaches for high-dose PPI users, this research suggests that the drugs are not prescribed without regard to clinical indications. Read more here