OBJECTIVE: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the fourth most widely sold drugs in the United States. Mounting evidence suggests PPIs may not be as safe as originally thought. We hypothesize that increased awareness of PPI side effects and patient education may influence patient interest in PPI use and compliance. We aimed to investigate patient concerns and education regarding PPI use and side effects.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective questionnaire.

SETTING: Tertiary care center.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with a diagnosis of gastroesophageal or laryngopharyngeal reflux currently on PPI, or having discontinued PPIs within 6 months, completed a questionnaire regarding level of concern regarding PPI side effects and level of education.

RESULTS: Fifty consecutive patients completed the questionnaire. The mean age was 64 (±12.2) years and 47.8% was male. The majority of surveyed patients (52.2%) were concerned about the side effects of PPIs. Among these patients, the most common concerns were increased bone fracture (23.9%) and cardiovascular risk (21.7%). The most common source of PPI side-effect information was healthcare professionals (45.7%). Age, specific type of concern, side-effect experience, and reflux symptom index scores, but not level of education, proved to be statistically significant predictor variables for patients' overall concern with taking PPI, based on logistic regression.

CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of concern regarding PPI side effects in patients with reflux. The most common concern was bone fracture. Level of education was not associated with greater concern for PPI side effects.