CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PREVALENCE AND DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERNS AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN NORTHEASTERN INDIA

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the disease prevalence and drug utilization pattern in the department of cardiology in a tertiary care hospital in northeastern India.Methods: Indoor case papers 112 of patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were included in this study. The study was performed in between December 2014 to February 2015. Case papers analyzed and documented for demographic variables, indication, disease prevalence, co-morbidities and prescribing pattern of the physician.Results: A total of 112 cases were evaluated. Patients of age group between 61-90 y were diagnosed 48.21% of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Male patients (67%) were diagnosed CVDs more than female patients (33%). Our findings indicated that hyperlipidemia (84.82%), hypertension (80.35%) and ischemic heart disease (66.96%) were most frequently diagnosed disease and most of the diseases were treated by the combination of two or three drugs. The use of statins, beta blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers and angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE) inhibitors was very common. Diabetes, anemia and asthma were the comorbidities associated with CVDs.Conclusion: Hyperlipidemia, hypertension and ischemic heart disease were the prevalent diseases among CVDs. Statins and antihypertensive were most prescribed drugs. Combinations of drugs were prescribed to the patients for effective therapy. The present study will help the healthcare professionals to optimize the efficient and safe use of cardiovascular drugs.Keywords: Ischemic heart diseases, Hypertension, Rational, Health professional