Deprescribing of proton pump inhibitors in internal medicine in-patients: A retrospective observational study.

Cohort studyExploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy· Sep 2026

Deprescribing of proton pump inhibitors in internal medicine in-patients: A retrospective observational study.

Christina Kotoula, Leonie Daria Schreck, Arani Anandarathakrishnan … Evangelia Liakoni

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Multimorbidity & PolypharmacyCohort studyClinical practiceQ1IF 2.7

Deprescribing occurred in just 30% of patients with a clear indication.

Deprescribing of proton pump inhibitors in internal medicine in-patients: A retrospective observational study.

Christina Kotoula … Evangelia Liakoni

Exploratory research in clinical and social pharmacy · Sep 2026

Background

Proton pump inhibitors (pump inhibitors) treat gastrointestinal disorders and are often overprescribed or continued unnecessarily, despite potential long-term adverse effects (e.g. infections).

Purpose

This study assessed pump inhibitors deprescribing frequency, appropriate new prescriptions and possible reasons for not performing deprescribing.

Methods

Retrospective study at the Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.

n = 300 patients

Results

when clearly appropriate, most patients kept their pump inhibitors instead of stopping it

OR 0.20 (95% CI 0.10 to 0.40)

CI excludes the null - significant

More results

At discharge, 376 (82%) of the included cases had pump inhibitors, 44% ( n = 166) with appropriate use.

Possible reasons for not performing deprescribing ( n = 210) included unmet bleeding prophylaxis criteria (61%, n = 128), unclear re-evaluation plans (8%, n = 17) and outdated indications (7%, n = 15).

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

Most pump inhibitors were continued upon discharge, despite half lacking a clearly appropriate use. Knowledge, communication and information gaps may have contributed to missed deprescribing opportunities.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Regular medication reviews across healthcare settings could improve deprescribing practices and ensure appropriate pump inhibitors use.

Deprescribing of proton pump inhibitors in internal medicine in-patients: A retrospective observational study.

Deprescribing of proton pump inhibitors in internal medicine in-patients: A retrospective observational study.

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