scholarly journals Drug utilization study in geriatric patients visiting medicine OPD in tertiary care hospital

Author(s):  
Ujwala P. Gawali ◽  
Salman H. Rizvi ◽  
Prashant S. Mishra

Background: Drug utilization study is of utmost importance in the elderly. The consumption of drug amongst elderly segment of society is maximum and many of them use at least three prescribed drugs, concurrently. One of the plausible explanation of usage of large number of medicines is prevalence of multi-morbidities as well as suffer from chronic and degenerative pathology amongst them along with the alteration of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of many drugs are altered with advanced age. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess current prescribing practices among physicians for geriatric patients in tertiary care hospital.Methods: A prospective, observational and cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Pharmacology in collaboration with Department of Medicine in a tertiary healthcare hospital. As per inclusion criteria, patients visiting Medicine outpatient department (OPD) from 01 October 2018 to 31 December 2018 were enrolled in the study.Results: The average number of drugs per encounter was 4.1. 100% of the drugs were prescribed by their generic name and those prescribed from World Health Organization (WHO) list of essential medicines were 70.2%. Analysis of polypharmacy showed maximum 11 and minimum 1 drug was prescribed. Overall analysis of the drugs showed, the most common route of administration was orally. Drugs acting on cardiovascular system (CVS), gastrointestinal system (GI) system, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs and vitamins and mineral supplements constitute the major bulk of drug prescribed.Conclusions: In our study, though polypharmacy was found but it was necessary unavoidable, but was within the WHO standards of 1.6 to 4.8. Drugs acting on CVS and GI system were the most common drugs prescribed. Prescriptions with injections and steroids were less in the study population. All the drugs were prescribed by their generic name and most were present in the essential list of medicines.

Author(s):  
Salman H. Rizvi ◽  
Ujwala P. Gawali ◽  
Prashant S. Mishra

Background: With the surge of basic and clinical research activities, and subsequent recognition of newer dermatological disorders; dermatology is now considered to be one of the most important specialties in a healthcare setup. Dermatological problem in India manifests as primary and secondary cutaneous complaints. The aim of this study was to assess current prescribing practices among physicians for dermatology patients in tertiary care hospital.Methods: A prospective, observational and cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Pharmacology in collaboration with Department of Dermatology in a tertiary healthcare hospital. As per inclusion criteria, patients visiting Dermatology Outpatient department (OPD) from October 2018 to December 2018 were enrolled in the study.Results: The average number of drugs per encounter was 4.9. 100% of the drugs were prescribed by their generic name and those prescribed from World Health Organization (WHO) list of essential medicines were 68.9%. Analysis of polypharmacy showed maximum 11 and minimum 2 drug was prescribed. Overall analysis of the drugs showed, the most common route of administration was orally. Antihistamines, antifungals and steroids constitute the major bulk of drug prescribed.Conclusions: In our study, though polypharmacy was found but it was necessary as per the conditions. Anti-fungal, antihistamines and steroids were the most common drugs prescribed. Prescriptions with injections and steroids were less in the study population. All the drugs were prescribed by their generic name and most were present in the essential list of medicines. Use of Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was higher in our study as compared to other studies.


Author(s):  
Ujwala P. Gawali ◽  
Prashant S. Mishra ◽  
Salman H. Rizvi ◽  
Sukhmeen Kaur

Background: The illness due to psychiatric diseases and behavioral disorders is enormous, but it remains under represented by conventional public health statistics; which mainly targets mortality more than morbidity or dysfunction. The drug utilization study was conducted to find out problems and provide feedback to prescribers so as to create awareness about irrational use of drugs. This study was conducted in psychiatry outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary care hospital.Methods: A prospective, observational and cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Pharmacology in collaboration with department of psychiatry in a tertiary care hospital. Patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria visiting psychiatric OPD from 01 October 2018 to 31 December 2018 period of 3 months were enrolled in the study. Assessment of the prescriptions was done as per the ICD-10 criteria and World Health Organization-indicators for rational use of drugs (WHO-INRUD).Results: Among total 390 prescriptions; 71.54% was males and 28.46% were females. All the drugs were oral formulations. The burden of diseases are depression 35.89%, anxiety 20.51%, schizophrenia 18.97% and bipolar disorder 11.28% and other psychiatric diseases were 13.33%. Olanzapine was the most common drug which was prescribed followed by alprazolam. Total 1,140 drugs were prescribed out of which 86.32% was psychotropic drug and 13.68% were other like vitamin B-complex, analgesics, anta-acids, antibiotics and NSAIDS. The Most common prescribed class was atypical antipsychotics 26.31% followed by benzodiazepines 20.26%, antipsychotics 19.74%, tricyclic antidepressants 8.16%, anticonvulsants 9.21%, antiepileptics 2.37% and lastly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.Conclusions: Atypical antipsychotics was most commonly prescribed drug followed by benzodiazepines. All the drugs were prescribed by their generic names which suggests awareness among prescribers regarding WHO policies for generic prescribing.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-165
Author(s):  
Ramya Rachamanti ◽  
V. Prem kumar ◽  
M. C. Das ◽  
Manam Mani Srikanth ◽  
M. Lakshmi Shravanthi

To identify the utilization pattern of antimicrobials in patients with suspected wound infections and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) according to WHO (World Health Organization) drug utilization indicators.This is a cross-sectional, record based study conducted in a tertiary care hospital after obtaining Institutional Ethical Committee approval. Patients of all ages admitted into N.R.I hospital between June to October 2017 suspected of wound and SSTIs were included in this study. Data of patients was collected from Medical records Department of the hospital. Analysis was done on 100 patients basing on inclusion criteria. Wound infections and SSTIs were found to be more common in males and in age group below 35 yrs. The major co-morbid conditions associated were diabetes and hypertension. Evaluation of prescriptions based on WHO drug utilization indicators showed that a total 201 antimicrobials were prescribed for 100 patients irrespective of positive or negative culture. Among antimicrobials, 31.8% were prescribed by their generic name.42.78 % were in the form of injections. 94.51 % of antimicrobials were in the National list of essential medicines 2015. Average duration of treatment given was for 7±3 days in the hospital. All the patients recovered well and got discharged. None of the patients died during the treatment among these 100 patients. The results obtained will be useful for implementing the modifications in the prescription for betterment of the patients and for the community.


Author(s):  
Nishandar Tb ◽  
Kale As ◽  
Pise Hn ◽  
Jambhrunkar Sd

Objective: Drug utilization research is an essential part of pharmacoepidemiology as it describes the extent, nature, and determinants of drug exposure. Indiscriminate use of topical antibiotics, steroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs causes histological and structural changes in the conjunctiva. The present study was proposed to investigate prescription and drug utilization practices in ophthalmology outpatient department (OPD) in a government tertiary care hospital in Maharashtra.Methodology: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital of rural Maharashtra, India, from January 2015 to June 2016 after approval of the institutional ethics committee. Patients of all age group and of either gender attending ophthalmology OPD in a tertiary care hospital were included in the study. Patients not willing to consent as well as follow-up patients were excluded from the study. Data collection was done in a predesigned pro forma. Prescriptions were evaluated for demographic data, World Health Organization (WHO) core drug prescription indicators. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Office Excel® 2007.Results: In a total of 600 patients, females outnumbered males. A bit less than a half of patients belonged to the age group of 19–45 years. An average number of drugs per encounter was (1080/600), i.e. 1.8. Of 1080 total drugs prescribed, 678 drugs (62.78%) were prescribed by their generic name. 1027/1080 (95.09%) drugs were prescribed from the National List of Essential Medicines and 671/1080 (62.13%) drugs prescribed were from the WHO- Essential medicines List. Total encounters having antibiotics and injectable formulations were 274 (45.66%) and 4 (0.66%), respectively.Discussion: Drug utilization studies (DUS) are a tool for assessing the prescribing, dispensing, and distribution of drugs. The main aim of DUS is to facilitate rational use of medicines. Overall findings of the study suggest that ophthalmologists’ drug prescribing habits were appropriate to a larger extent in the current setting.


Author(s):  
Rucha M. Shinde ◽  
Anand S. Kale ◽  
Mahadeo P. Sawant

Background: Drug utilization study is an important tool to study the clinical use of drugs and its impact on healthcare system. DUS in patients with HTN and DM is essential to observe the changing prescribing attitude of physicians with the aim to promote rational use of drugs and to minimize the adverse drug reactions.Methods: A cross sectional observational study was conducted on randomly selected patients attending medicine outpatient department in a tertiary care hospital. Drug prescription sheets of 600 patients were studied for 18 months from January 2016 to June 2017 and the prescribing pattern was analysed using the World Health Organization basic drug indicators.Results: Total 2029 drugs were prescribed to 600 patients that belonged to various classes. The average number of drugs prescribed per encounter was 3.4. Majority (61.5%) drugs were prescribed using generic names. Percentage encounters with the antibiotics and injections were 6.3 and 11.5 per cent respectively. 38% drugs were prescribed from the 20th edition of WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. PDD in the current study was found to be significantly less than WHO DDD in all drugs. All of the prescriptions in the present study conformed to WHO guidelines and majority of them with JNC VIII guidelines.Conclusions: The findings of this study are comparable to those of other studies. However, there is a scope of improvement in areas such as overdosing, prescribing more by generic names instead of brand names and from WHO Model List of Essential Medicines.


Author(s):  
T. Muneswar Reddy ◽  
Thammi Setty Durga Prasad ◽  
Allikesam Hemalatha ◽  
Vanam Chanukya ◽  
Bandi Lakshmi Sirisha

Background: This study was conducted to determine the drug utilization pattern among geriatric inpatients in general medicine department of the hospital.Methods: An observational, prospective study was conducted for a period of six months (November 2016 to April 2017) among 200 geriatric patients; demographic details, education, occupation, diagnosis and drug details were recorded. The drugs were categorized by anatomical therapeutic classification (ATC) and defined daily dose (DDD) was calculated. The World Health Organization (WHO) prescribing indicators were assessed.Results: The majority of the patients (59%) were in age group of 60-69 years. Cardiovascular diseases were common among geriatrics. Most commonly prescribed drug was Pantoprazole (81.7%). Drugs were assigned with ATC/DDD codes according to the guidelines of WHO. Drugs prescribed by their generic names were 56.64% and 43% of drugs that were included in the National Essential Medicines List.Conclusions: Clinical pharmacist have to collaborate and work together with physicians in selecting and adjusting the dose among geriatric population in order to reduce development of potential adverse drug reactions, serious drug related complications and drug interaction.


Author(s):  
Sumalatha R. ◽  
Nagabushan H. ◽  
Hanumanth Prasad M.

Background: Drug utilization research is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as marketing, distribution, prescription, and use of drugs in society, with special emphasis on the resulting medical, social, and economic consequences. Drug utilization study identifies the problems that arise from prescription and highlights the current approaches to the rational use of drugs. The main aim of the study is to assess the pattern of drug usage and the rationality of drug use in Otorhinolaryngology out-patient department (OPD).Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the OPD of Otorhinolaryngology at tertiary care hospital, Mandya, Karnataka, over a period of one year. Prescriptions of all OPD patients were collected, relevant information entered in a specially designed proforma and analysed using descriptive statistics.Results: A total of 21058 drugs were prescribed out of 8028 prescriptions. Majority of the patients were male (51%). Antimicrobials were the most commonly prescribed drugs (28%), followed by antihistamines (25%), antipyretics (20.5%).Most of the drugs 18576 (88.2%) were prescribed by oral route, followed by topical route. Majority of the drugs were prescribed by the generic names (86.5%). Most common type of infection was ear infection (3176), followed by throat infection (2848) and nose infection (2004).Conclusions: The present study showed that among antimicrobial agents, β lactams were commonly prescribed drugs in the department of Otorhinolaryngology. The maximum number of cases was diagnosed with ear infections and majority of the drugs were prescribed orally.


Author(s):  
Subash Senthilkumar ◽  
Arun Raaj S. A. ◽  
Padmavathi K. ◽  
Dhanapal C. K. ◽  
Periasamy K.

Background: Geriatric patients are more vulnerable to infections and need special consideration on antibiotic use. Resistance to antibiotics among infectious bacteria has developed within a short span. There is a direct correlation between the consumption of antibiotics and the development of resistance. And surprisingly very few literatures were available on antibiotic consumption in geriatric population using defined daily dose (DDD) concept which paved the idea to conduct this study.Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out from November 2018 to April 2019. A total of 206 prescriptions of elderly patients were included in the study. The antibiotics were categorized by anatomical therapeutic classification (ATC) and DDD indicator/1000 inhabitants/day (DID) was used to figure out antibiotic consumption.Results: About 25.2% of patients were treated with antibiotics for respiratory tract infections. The patients received antibiotics empirically (53.8%) and without bacteriological investigation (58.73%). The overall consumption of antibiotics was 20.47 DID in which oral antibiotics was (8.5 DID) 42% and parenteral antibiotics (11.8 DID) 58%. Cephalosporins was observed to be the most consumed antibiotics (33.2%), specifically cefotaxime (14.6%) and ceftriaxone (12.6%). Moreover, 54.4% of antibiotics consumed from watch category of World Health Organisation (WHO) essential medicines list (EML) which was completely against WHO standard proportion.Conclusions: Higher consumption of cephalosporins, which falls into watch category was analysed in geriatric patients. These broad-spectrum antibiotics have high potential to develop antimicrobial resistance. A strict antibiotic policy is needed to be framed that enhance rational prescribing practices in geriatrics.


Author(s):  
Rakesh R. Jadhav ◽  
Asha D. Jadhav ◽  
Sudhir L. Padwal ◽  
Anand S. Kale ◽  
Harshal N. Pise

Background: Inappropriate drug prescribing is a global problem affecting the healthcare system. Aim and objective of the study was to study the drug utilization pattern in geriatric patient at rural tertiary care hospital.Methods: This was a cross- sectional observational study involving 600 geriatric outpatient. This study was carried out from Nov 2015 to May 2016. The data were collected using predesigned proforma specially designed for this purpose. Relevant information was obtained by analyzing prescription for World Health Organization (WHO) core drug indicators.Results: Total number 600 prescriptions analyzed at the end of six months were from general medicine department. The mean age of the patients was 63.9 years in which male (61.33%) outnumber the female. Total number 2598 drugs were prescribed to 600 patients for different diseases. The mean number of drugs per prescription were 4.33, drugs were prescribed by generic name 26.42%. drugs were prescribed from WHO essential drug list86.33. The type of formulations used were tablets and capsules in 88.5%, syrups in 5%, injections 3.5 % and inhalers 2%. Drug for Cardiovascular diseases were the most common (29.66) followed gastrointestinal (16.67), vitamins and minerals (14.66). Analgesic and NSAIDS (14.13) also prescribed commonly. Antimicrobial drugs prescribed in (7.46%) and common antibiotic prescribed were Amoxicillin ciprofloxacin and metronidazole.Conclusions: This study also effectively provides very useful baseline data also demonstrates the prescribing patterns of drugs in the geriatric patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-77
Author(s):  
Talha Khalid ◽  
Amna Khokhar ◽  
Naseem Jehan ◽  
Umar Sultan ◽  
Arooj Fatima

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), essential medicines (EM) have the ability to meet the health care needs of maximum individuals. High accessibility to essential medicines (EM) was proposed under the Millennium Development Goal. The access to high quality, suitable, and inexpensive essential medicines is an essential constituent of health care systems. Methodology: This retrospective cross-sectional observational study was performed at Jinnah Hospital Lahore from February 2018 to November 2018, for analysis of essential medicine usage in a public sector tertiary care hospital of Pakistan. The data were collected from records of patients admitted in the emergency department. Results: Drugs prescribed per encounter were estimated to be 3. Most patients got a single antibiotic, and cephalosporin was the most commonly prescribed antibiotic. Conclusion: The concept of essential drugs has gained high acceptance, but the EMs should be prescribed logically, appropriately and should be in line with WHO guidelines.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document