Proton pump inibitors (PPIs) is a class of medications that reduce the acid secretion in the stomach. These medications are very effective to relieve symptoms of acid reflux for a well-identified group of diseases and conditions. Over the years, a major rise in use of these drugs has occurred. Convincing analyses reveal that a large share of this use occurs outside regular indications, at inappropriately elevated doses and prolonged treatment durations. Moreover, there are increasing concerns regarding potential adverse effects and the high cost associated with improper PPI use. Guidelines propose to reduce chronic use of PPIs, but to date this has not generated a reduction in their application in clinical practice. One reason is the occurrence of a period of 2 weeks of increased acid secretion, with recurrence of symptoms, when these drugs are stopped after already a few weeks of usage (rebound effect). The best strategy to overcome this period of increased acid secretion and symptoms has not been established. The PEPPER study will evaluate two different strategies to overcome the period of increased secretion when trying to interrupt chronic proton pump inhibitor therapy. The investigators will compare the success of stopping PPIs when these strategies are implemented, compared to a classical strategy of stopping after intermittent PPI intake. The strategies under evaluation are a period of non-daily intake of proton pump inhibitors (on-demand) before stopping, or the use of alternative methods to control gastric acidity and reflux (so-called alginates). The investigators will evaluate the success rate of stopping chronic PPIs treatment with these approaches, compared to an interruption with intake of antacids. Patients will be followed up for 1 year after interruption of PPIs, and the level of symptom control, quality of life and healthcare costs will be evaluated at intervals. The study will be conducted in patients from primary care practices with chronic PPIs intake outside of the established disease indications.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
724
The patients will decrease their intake of PPIs via a de-prescription intermittent scheme. After one month, patients will stop their intake of PPI.
The patients will decrease their intake of PPIs via a de-prescription on-demand scheme. After one month, patients will stop their intake of PPI.
The patients will stop their intake of PPIs and use alginate. After one month, patients will stop their intake of alginates.
Jan Tack
Leuven, Vlaams Brabant, Belgium
Succes of de-prescription strategy
percentage of randomized patients achieving successful therapeutic outcome at the end of the follow up period in each treatment group
Time frame: 15 months
Use of PPI
Patient reported outcome The use of PPI will be reported by the patient at each study visit as adherence to the suggested treatment. As this information is considered as standard of care, this is the value that will be used for the analysis of this first key point that will be used for the assessment of the primary endpoint of the study. During follow up, patients taking at least one dose of PPIs weekly will be consider as active PPI users, and therefore a failure to this key indicator (result "0"). If patients report to have used a dose PPI less than 3 times in a month, this subject will not be consider as clinical relevant users, and therefore the key indicator result is positive and "1".
Time frame: 15 months
Treatment satisfaction
Patient reported outcome Scale title:treatment satisfaction scale Question to assess treatment satisfaction is: "How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the control of your symptoms with the current treatment?" Minimum and maximum values: seven-point bipolar scale from 'Extremely Satisfied' (score 7) to 'Extremely Dissatisfied' (score 1) Higher scores mean: better outcome
Time frame: 15 months
Willingness to continue with the current treatment
Patient reported outcome To assess willingness to continue to current treatment regimen, the following question will be used: "Would you be willing to continue the current treatment for the next month?"
Time frame: 15 months
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