Abstract

DRUG UTILISATION PATTERN STUDY IN CARDIAC PATIENTS

A. Sandeep, G. Sree Mahalakshmi*, P. Naga Jyothi*, R. E. Ugandar, A. Tejeswar Reddy and D. Kranthi Chaitanya

ABSTRACT

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death. Appropriate drug therapy is important to treat the various cardiovascular diseases in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality. The present study was conducted to observe the cardiovascular diseases and to study the drug utilisation pattern in cardiac patients. Objectives: The objective of the study is to analyse the prescribing pattern of drugs in cardiac patients, to study the average number of drugs per prescription and prescribing prevalence. Methods: In this prospective observational study we analysed 150 subjects with cardiovascular diseases in cardiology department of Santhiram medical college and general hospital, Nandyal from June -2019 to November –2019. The study is based on demographic data, diagnosis and prescribing pattern. Results: In this study it was observed that males (70%) are more prone to cardiovascular diseases when compared to females (30%). In our study 51 -60 age group males and 61 -70 age group females are more prone to cardiovascular diseases. In this study Maximum number of disease was found to be Inferior wall myocardial infarction (25.3%). The average number of drugs per prescription are 6.8. In our study mostly prescribed cardiovascular drug categories are antiplatelets (96%) followed by statins (76.6%). Aspirin (80.6%) is majorly prescribed drug and Isosorbide dinitrate (0.6%) and Nebivolol (0.6%) were least prescribed drugs. Among the fixed dose combinations T. Aspirin + clopidogrel (60.6%) is the mostly prescribed combination and T. Telmisartan + amlodipine (0.6%) and T. Telmisartan +chlorthiazide (0.6%) were the least prescribed combination. Totally, 90 drugs – drug interactions were observed. Moderate drug interactions (46.6%) are found to be more when compared to major (40%), minor (13.3%). Conclusion: Our study reveals that males are more predominant to cardiovascular diseases than females, it may be due to smoking and alcoholic habits. Most of the patients are found to be suffering with inferior wall myocardial infarction. Antiplatelets and statins are majorly prescribed drug categories. Aspirin dominated the prescribing pattern followed by atorvastatin. Isosorbide di nitrate and Nebivolol were underused drugs. The average number of drugs per prescription is said to be high which indicates poly pharmacy. Combination drugs are prescribed which helps the patients to less likely develop drug resistance. Moderate type of drug interactions are observed in prescriptions. Most of the prescriptions are said to be rational.

Keywords: cardiovascular diseases, prescribing pattern, drug utilisation, cardiovascular drug categories.