Drug utilization pattern in orthopaedics tertiary care teaching hospital of central U.P

Abstract

Background: The proper evaluation of the prescribing indicators helps to curb the injudicious use of drugs. Keeping this point in mind the present study was designed and carried out in order to check the prescribing pattern in the orthopaedic outpatients using the WHO prescribing indicators in a tertiary care teaching hospital, Lucknow. Methods: Data was collected from the outpatients of the orthopaedic department relating to demographics and the drug details in a structured Performa and were subsequently analyzed in accordance with the WHO prescribing indicators. The prescriptions were further analyzed for any errors relating to the prescription writing. Values were expressed in percentages. Results: A total of 261 prescriptions were analyzed comprising 796 drugs. Out of 261 patients, 147 (56.32%) were male while 114 (43.68%) were females. Most of the patients, i.e. 137 (52.49%) belonged to the age group of 18 -60 years. Out of the total prescriptions analyzed it was found that only 37 (14.18%) had drugs prescribed by the generic names and only 115 (44.06%) prescriptions were complete in all respect. Anti-ulcer drugs were most commonly prescribed and a total of 227 (86.97%) prescriptions had them. This was followed closely by NSAIDs with or without serratiopeptidases which formed a part of 217 (83.14%) prescriptions. Polypharmacy was an area of grave concern and the average number of drugs per prescription came out to be 3.05. A total of 128 (49.04%) prescriptions had 5 drugs written in them. The signature of the treating doctor was absent in or there was an untraceable signature in 235 (90.04%) prescriptions while the stamp of the treating doctor was absent in 216 (82.76%) cases. In 146 prescriptions (55.94%) the duration of treatment was not written and the follow up advice was not clear in 195 (74.71%) cases. Conclusion:This study provides the insight to the prescribing pattern in outpatients of orthopaedic department. The results obtained clearly show an immediate need for the increased awareness among the physicians as well as the medical students towards the WHO recommended prescribing indicators.

Evaluation of the potential drug-drug interactions at orthopedics and traumatology outpatient clinics of a tertiary care hospital

“…The most commonly prescribed drugs in this study were NSAIDs, PPIs and skeletal muscle relaxants (Figure 1). Similarly, NSAIDs and gastroprotective, anti-ulcer agents were the most frequently prescribed drugs according to the results of the several studies conducted in orthopedic departments 16,21 .…”

Assessment of Prescription Pattern of Drugs Prescribed in the Outpatient Department of a Private Orthopedic Hospital – A Cross-sectional Study

“…[15,16] Further, the results showed that polypharmacy was another area of concern as 5 and more >5 drugs were prescribed in 29.4% and 33.2% of prescriptions; this finding is similar to the one reported by Singh et al (49.0%). [8] These results violate the WHO principles and need to be addressed with strict adherence to the protocol.…”

“…[6,7] Many of India's DUR studies in orthopedic hospitals are mainly carried out in government hospitals. [8][9][10] However, only a few studies evaluating prescribing pattern at private clinics and hospitals, especially at specialty hospitals like Prescriptions provided for either of the genders, for any age, and any clinical diagnosis with at least one drug prescribed were included in the study. Patients attending the outpatient facility for follow-up (who may or may not be enrolled previously), referral patients, intellectual disability, and patients not willing to give informed consent were excluded from the study.…”