Abstract

DRUG UTILIZATION EVALUATION OF BRONCHIAL ASTHMA IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Babitha Michael*, Nithina James, Sreena S., Koneru Sindhuja, Basavaraj K. Nanjwade

ABSTRACT

Asthma was seen as one of the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in rural areas. Even though the DUE studies for asthma in pediatrics are common in South India, studies in adults are sparse. To study the drug utilization evaluation, assess the drug interaction and adverse drug effects in adult asthmatic patients in tertiary care hospital. Data of all the asthmatic patients admitted in the General Medical Ward between the periods of September 2014 to February 2015 were collected. Only the adult patients (>18 years) without any comorbidities were eligible for the study. During the study period 153 patients were enrolled. The mean age of the study population was found to be 51.15 ± 13.92 years. The gender ratio in our study showed a male preponderance at 2.55:1. Males were more prone to asthma as compared to females and the maximum prevalence of asthma was in the age group of 41-60years. All the patients received multiple drug therapy at an average of 5.951 drugs per prescription. Methyl xanthines were the most commonly prescribed group of antiastmatics (86.27%). Contradicting to the popular belief, our study showed that oral dosage form (55.80%) were preferred over inhalation (27.76%) and parenteral (16.43%) route. 22.22% of the asthma patients who were received drug therapy developed ADRs. Out of all the ADRs observed, tremor occurred mostly. Equal numbers of major and moderate drug interactions were found by analysing the prescription. Multiple drug therapy is preferred over other therapies for better management of asthma and Methyl xanthine was the most commonly prescribed class of drug. Tremor was thecommonest ADR observed. Equal numbers of major and moderate drug interactions were also found by analysing the prescription.

Keywords: Bronchial Asthma, Drug utilization review, Anti asthmatic drugs.