A Prospective, Cross-sectional, Multicenter, Observational, Questionnaire-based Survey to assess the Knowledge, Awareness, Attitude and Practice of Physicians while Prescribing Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) Drugs for Acid Peptic Disease

ABSTRACT

Goal This is a subjective survey to assess the knowledge, awareness, and practices (KAP) of physicians while prescribing Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in acid peptic disorder (APD) patients in India. Background: APD represents a variety of gastric anomalies in which PPIs form the mainstay of management. Many of the APD patients are associated with comorbidities, resulting in polypharmacy and increased risk of drugdrug interactions. Therefore, it is essential that physicians be aware of PPI drug interactions while prescribing them to patients with comorbidities. In developing countries like India, studies assessing the KAP of Physicians are limited. Study Design: This questionnaire-based study consisted of 3 domains (A) Study objectives and consent; (B) Participants’ socio-demographic details; (C) Questions on KAP of Physicians around various aspects of APD management and PPI usage. Results: A total of 110 Physicians completed the survey. 92% observed stress as the most common risk factor; Obesity (46), Diabetes Mellitus (41%) and Cardiovascular Disease (33%) as the most frequent comorbidities, in APD. Almost all Physicians (99%) considered patient’s comorbidity important while choosing PPI. 84% participants felt that anticoagulants when co-prescribed with PPI have higher chance of drug-drug interactions. 60% ranked Rabeprazole in the top, in terms of safety and tolerability among PPIs. Conclusion: The present study mapped the awareness of Indian Physicians on APD, PPI usage, their adverse effects, drug-drug interactions; patient compliance and satisfaction with PPIs. These findings can be used to plan future interventions targeting HCPs, to ensure safe and appropriate use of PPIs