Assessment of Prescribing Pattern of Corticosteroids and Bronchodilators in the Management of COPD Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is characterized by chronic airflow limitation and a variety of structural changes in the lung, some severe extra pulmonary consequences, and significant comorbidities that can lead to the severity of the disease in particular patients. Objectives: The objective of the present study was to evaluate prescribing pattern of corticosteroids and bronchodilators in COPD patients and to determine the type of therapy. Materials and Methods: A prospective type of observational study in a 700 bedded multispecialty hospital for 6 months. SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) version 20. [IBM SPASS statistics] was used to perform the statistical analysis and to assess prescribing pattern of corticosteroids and bronchodilators in COPD patients. Results: A total of 39 patients were studied. Mean age was 61.4 ± 8.8 with male predominance (82.1%) in comparison to female (17.9%). Majority of the subjects 19 (48.7%) were current smokers, 13 (33.3%) non-smokers, 7 (17.9%) ex-smokers. Hypertension, was found to be the common comorbidity present among the subjects. Combination of Salbutamol and Ipratropium bromide (71.8%) and Antibiotics (71.8%) were the most preferred therapeutic option. It was also observed that combination drugs were used more in comparison to monotherapy. Conclusion: COPD was found to be common in male population compared to females. COPD is more prominent in smokers than non-smokers concluding that smoking is a major risk factor. Combination of Salbutamol and Ipratropium bromide was most frequently prescribed drug followed by antibiotics and budesonide in monotherapy concluding that combination is preferred in the treatment over monotherapy.