Deprescribing is a systematic process of discontinuing potentially inappropriate medications under the supervision of a healthcare professional, aiming to reduce polypharmacy and improve health outcomes. Proton pump inhibitors are often prescribed without proper indication, which may affect the efficacy of certain systemic cancer treatments. Therefore, they represent a an important target for deprescribing in oncology patients, with the success of the process largely depending on patient attitudes and their willingness to cooperate.
This master's thesis explores the attitudes of patients with selected solid tumors toward deprescribing medications and deprescribing proton pump inhibitors. Using an adapted version of the Revised Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing questionnaire, a cross-sectional study was contucted at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana and the University Medical Centre Maribor. The study aimed to determine the proportion of patients willing to engage in deprescribing and identify factors influencing their attitudes. Two versions of the questionnaire were used – one for patients currently using proton pump inhibitors and one for those not using them. Data were analyzed using descriptive and test statistcs.
The study included 269 patients with selected solid tumors, 128 (47,6 %) of whom reported regular use of proton pump inhibitors. Most patients are willing to stop taking one or more of their regular medications if advised by a physician (92,8 % without proton pump inhibitors; 89,9 % of those with them), though willingness to discontinue proton pump inhibitors was slightly lower (79,9 %). Willingness decreased when deprescribing recommendations came from a pharmacist (43,6 % without proton pump inhibitors; 45,3 % of those with them), and was even lower for discontinuing proton pump inhibitors (36,7 %). Patients using proton pump inhibitors reported greater medication-related burden and higher costs but were less likely to associate proton pump inhibitors with adverse effects. Concerns about losing potential future benefits of medications were common, particularly among those using proton pump inhibitors.
The study highlights the importance of deprescribing, with patients' attitudes playing a key role. Many are willing to stop taking one or more regular medications, including proton pump inhibitors, especially when recommendation comes from a healthcare professional.
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