Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share By
Variables Associated With Gastric Acidity in Critically Ill Patients: An Approach to Prescribe Acid-Suppressing Medications Publisher

Summary: Research shows gastric pH testing in ICU patients helps tailor acid-suppressing drugs to prevent GI bleeding. #ICUCare #GastroHealth

Abbasi S1 ; Farsaei S2 ; Rafinazari N3 ; Mansourian M4 ; Adibi P5
Authors

Source: Journal of Isfahan Medical School Published:2019


Abstract

Background: Measurement of gastric pH potentially could be benefit to apply in various medical fields such as stress-related mucosal damage (SRMD) management especially in critically ill patients. So, we designed this study to measure gastric acidity in high-risk patients for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in intensive care unit (ICU), and evaluate variables associated to gastric pH. Methods: In a prospective clinical study, gastric secretions of 200 patients in ICU were aspirated if they received stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) or had indication to receive it, and had nasogastric tube to aspirate gastric secretion. Thereafter, the acidity of aspirated gastric juice was tested for recruited patients with the laboratory pH-meter, and the patients were categorized to have gastric pH values < 4 or ≥ 4. Aspirated gastric juice was also tested to determine the degree of occult bleeding. Findings: Among 740 gastric pH tested during patients' follow-up, 26.5% were less than 4. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) score, all major risk factors of GI bleeding, chronic organ insufficiency, multiple trauma, number of major and minor risk factors, and current occult bleeding were factors which could predict pH < 4 in our population. Intravenous pantoprazole had also significantly effect on pH > 4 compared with other administered SUP medications. Conclusion: It seems that measurement of gastric pH in high-risk patients for GI bleeding, and paying more attention to the variables related to gastric acidity, is a scientific practical method for rational prescription of more potent acid-suppressing medications to protect gastric mucosa, and prevent overt bleeding in vulnerable population. © 2019, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.
Other Related Docs
8. Ramadan Fasting and Digestive Disorders: Sepahan Systematic Review No. 7, Journal of Research in Medical Sciences (2012)