Abstract

COMPARISON OF ANTI-DIABETIC DRUG USAGE AMONG GERIATRICS AND ADULT POPULATION

Jeffin Joseph*, Catherin Babu, Gikku Mariyam Varghese, Cherlyn Ann Chacko, Philip Jacob, Roshiny Thankom James and Elessy Abraham

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic disorders characterized mainly by hyperglycemia and results in chronic complications including micro vascular, macro vascular, and neuropathic disorders. Type II Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most common chronic conditions in the elderly, and its prevalence will increase as the population ages. In India, 20% of the elderly population has Type II DM. Assessment of prescription pattern of oral hypoglycemic agents helps to compare the treatment pattern in different age groups. The goals of treatment are the same for elderly and younger patients however, treatment decisions are influenced by age, life expectancy, co morbid conditions, and severity of the vascular complications so we need to assess the prescribing pattern of antidiabetic agents in order to provide a cost effective rational treatment.[1] Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out over a period of six months in General Medicine Department of Muthoot Healthcare, Pvt. Ltd, Kozhencherry. The type II diabetic patients who were on oral hypoglycemic were enrolled in the study. A suitable data collection form was prepared and used to collect the required data. The demographic data, disease data and the utilization of various oral antidiabetic agents among geriatric and adult population were analyzed. For this study 398 subjects were enrolled based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The present study shows the elderly patients were at high risk of developing Type II Diabetes Mellitus. Metformin and Glimepiride were the most common antidiabetic drugs prescribed. The result of our study confirms that the anti-diabetic drug usage is similar in adult and geriatric population.

Keywords: Type ii diabetes mellitus, oral antidiabetic drugs, prescribing patterns, metformin, glimepiride.