Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF DRUG UTILIZATION AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Shalini Chawla, Ashish Ranjan, N. P. Singh*, Neena Garg and Anish Kumar

ABSTRACT

Poly-pharmacy is a major challenge in the treatment of chronic medical disorders. At outpatient departments (OPD) of public health-carefacilities, generic medicines are provided free of cost whereas, prescribed branded medicines have to be purchased from market. It increases the overall cost of treatment and has influence on patient’s compliance. To assess the drug utilization pattern of various commonly prescribed medicines in patients of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), who are attending the OPD clinics. To perform pharmaco-economic analysis of these prescribed drugs and assess quality of life (QOL) of patients with CKD. A prospective, observational study carried out on 100 adult pre-dialysis CKD patients (stage 3 or above), who had completed a minimum of 3 visits over a period of 6 months were included. The medicines prescribed at each visit with the cost incurred by patient to purchase these drugs were recorded. Quality of Life was assessed using World Health Organization (WHO) BREF QOL scale at first visit and after 6 months.Out of 100 adult pre-dialysis CKD patients who completed all the three visits, almost half of the patients were in age group of 18-45 years. On an average 6 medicines were prescribed in each OPD visit. Out of total drugs prescribed, 34% medicines were prescribed by their generic names, which were available at hospital pharmacy, whereas 66% medicines were branded and had to be bought from market. The direct cost incurred by patients was Rs 220 whereas, indirect cost was Rs 118. Assessment of quality of life revealed no statistical significance in four different domains measured at interval of 6 months.

Keywords: Polypharmacy, CKD, Prescription auditing, Drug utilization pattern.