Survey-Based Analysis of Current Trends for Prescribing Gastrointestinal Protectants among Small-Animal General Practitioners in Portugal
In both human and veterinary healthcare, gastrointestinal protectants (GIPs) are considered a staple of clinical practice in that they are prescribed by general practitioners (GPs) and specialists alike. Concerning GIP use, overprescription of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has become a growing conce...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Veterinary Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/8/5/70 |
| _version_ | 1827694357619146752 |
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| author | Rita Baptista Ryane Englar Berta São Braz Rodolfo Oliveira Leal |
| author_facet | Rita Baptista Ryane Englar Berta São Braz Rodolfo Oliveira Leal |
| author_sort | Rita Baptista |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In both human and veterinary healthcare, gastrointestinal protectants (GIPs) are considered a staple of clinical practice in that they are prescribed by general practitioners (GPs) and specialists alike. Concerning GIP use, overprescription of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has become a growing concern among human healthcare providers. This trend has also been documented within veterinary practice, prompting the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) to publish a consensus statement in 2018 concerning evidence-based indications for GIP use. This observational cross-sectional study evaluated self-reported prescribing protocols among Portuguese GPs to determine whether there is adherence to the consensus guidelines. Respondents were Portuguese GPs recruited by social media posts in veterinarian online forums. Data were collected from 124 respondents concerning their GIPs of choice and their rationales for prescribing them. Data were mined for prescription patterns and protocols. Among GIPs, PPIs were prescribed more often. Rationales for use included gastrointestinal ulceration and erosion (GUE), prophylactic management of nonerosive gastritis, pancreatitis, reflux esophagitis, and steroid-induced ulceration. Once-daily administration of PPIs was the most frequent dosing regime among respondents. Ninety-six percent of PPI prescribers advocated that the drug be administered either shortly before or at mealtime. Forty-nine percent of respondents supported long-term use of PPIs. Fifty-nine percent of respondents acknowledged discontinuing PPIs abruptly. This study supports that Portuguese GPs commonly prescribe GIPs in accordance with ACVIM recommendations to medically manage GUE. However, misuse of GIPs does occur, and they have been prescribed where their therapeutic value is debatable. Educational strategies should target GPs in an effort to reduce GIP misuse. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:02:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9061efeaf015412abc5032af79f95c50 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2306-7381 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:02:58Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Veterinary Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-9061efeaf015412abc5032af79f95c502023-11-21T16:49:52ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812021-04-01857010.3390/vetsci8050070Survey-Based Analysis of Current Trends for Prescribing Gastrointestinal Protectants among Small-Animal General Practitioners in PortugalRita Baptista0Ryane Englar1Berta São Braz2Rodolfo Oliveira Leal3Hospital Escolar Veterinário, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária—Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisbon, PortugalCollege of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, 1580 E Hanley Blvd., Oro Valley, AZ 85737, USAHospital Escolar Veterinário, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária—Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisbon, PortugalHospital Escolar Veterinário, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária—Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Universidade Técnica, 1300-477 Lisbon, PortugalIn both human and veterinary healthcare, gastrointestinal protectants (GIPs) are considered a staple of clinical practice in that they are prescribed by general practitioners (GPs) and specialists alike. Concerning GIP use, overprescription of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has become a growing concern among human healthcare providers. This trend has also been documented within veterinary practice, prompting the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) to publish a consensus statement in 2018 concerning evidence-based indications for GIP use. This observational cross-sectional study evaluated self-reported prescribing protocols among Portuguese GPs to determine whether there is adherence to the consensus guidelines. Respondents were Portuguese GPs recruited by social media posts in veterinarian online forums. Data were collected from 124 respondents concerning their GIPs of choice and their rationales for prescribing them. Data were mined for prescription patterns and protocols. Among GIPs, PPIs were prescribed more often. Rationales for use included gastrointestinal ulceration and erosion (GUE), prophylactic management of nonerosive gastritis, pancreatitis, reflux esophagitis, and steroid-induced ulceration. Once-daily administration of PPIs was the most frequent dosing regime among respondents. Ninety-six percent of PPI prescribers advocated that the drug be administered either shortly before or at mealtime. Forty-nine percent of respondents supported long-term use of PPIs. Fifty-nine percent of respondents acknowledged discontinuing PPIs abruptly. This study supports that Portuguese GPs commonly prescribe GIPs in accordance with ACVIM recommendations to medically manage GUE. However, misuse of GIPs does occur, and they have been prescribed where their therapeutic value is debatable. Educational strategies should target GPs in an effort to reduce GIP misuse.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/8/5/70gastrointestinal protectantsacid suppressantsproton pump inhibitorsACVIM consensus guidelinesgastrointestinal ulcerationsteroid-induced gastrointestinal ulceration |
| spellingShingle | Rita Baptista Ryane Englar Berta São Braz Rodolfo Oliveira Leal Survey-Based Analysis of Current Trends for Prescribing Gastrointestinal Protectants among Small-Animal General Practitioners in Portugal Veterinary Sciences gastrointestinal protectants acid suppressants proton pump inhibitors ACVIM consensus guidelines gastrointestinal ulceration steroid-induced gastrointestinal ulceration |
| title | Survey-Based Analysis of Current Trends for Prescribing Gastrointestinal Protectants among Small-Animal General Practitioners in Portugal |
| title_full | Survey-Based Analysis of Current Trends for Prescribing Gastrointestinal Protectants among Small-Animal General Practitioners in Portugal |
| title_fullStr | Survey-Based Analysis of Current Trends for Prescribing Gastrointestinal Protectants among Small-Animal General Practitioners in Portugal |
| title_full_unstemmed | Survey-Based Analysis of Current Trends for Prescribing Gastrointestinal Protectants among Small-Animal General Practitioners in Portugal |
| title_short | Survey-Based Analysis of Current Trends for Prescribing Gastrointestinal Protectants among Small-Animal General Practitioners in Portugal |
| title_sort | survey based analysis of current trends for prescribing gastrointestinal protectants among small animal general practitioners in portugal |
| topic | gastrointestinal protectants acid suppressants proton pump inhibitors ACVIM consensus guidelines gastrointestinal ulceration steroid-induced gastrointestinal ulceration |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/8/5/70 |
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