Abstract

A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY ON PREVALENCE, RISK FACTORS, MANAGEMENT AND DRUG UTILISATION REVIEW ON STROKE

Christeena Mathew, Juliya Sunny, Megha Annie Jose*, Christy K. Jose, Archana Vijai and Santhosh M. Mathews

ABSTRACT

Stroke is an important cause of premature death and disability in India, largely driven by demographic changes and enhanced by the increasing prevalence of key modifiable risk factors. Considering, increasing population with incidence of CVA, early identification of risk factors and pattern of therapy leads to reduced severity and improves prognosis. The main aim of our study is to study the prevalence, risk factors, management and drug utilisation review on stroke patients. A hospital based, retrospective study was conducted in 115 patients admitted with final diagnosis of stroke in the Department of Neuro Medicine, Pushpagiri Medical College Hospital, Tiruvalla, who satisfied all the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study showed male dominance in the occurrence of stroke and more prevalent in an age group of 60-69 followed by 50-59.The study findings suggest that hypertension play a major role in risk of both ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke. Early identification and management of risk factors like hypertension, diabetes mellitus and change in life style habits like smoking and alcohol consumption reduce the risk of stroke. This study reveals that the prescription patterns in terms of rationality are poor and special attention needs to be given to the irrational prescribing in terms of poly pharmacy and long duration.

Keywords: Ischemic stroke, Hemorrhagic stroke, Drug Utilisation Review, WHO prescribing indicators.