DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERN AMONG GERIATRIC PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to assess the prescribing pattern in geriatrics, analyze the prescriptions using World Health Organization(WHO) core prescribing indicators, and to assess the appropriateness of prescriptions using Beers criteria 2012.Methods: This retrospective drug utilization review study was conducted for a period of 6-month. Prescriptions of in-patients above 65 years werecollected and documented. Collected data were then analyzed with the WHO core prescribing indicators and 2012 American Geriatrics Society Beerscriteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults.Results: A total of 205 in-patient prescriptions were collected. The majority of patients (73.66%) were in the age group of 65-74 years. The mostcommonly found comorbidities were hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Average number of drugs per prescription was 9.09. Percentage ofencounters with an antibiotic and injection prescribed were 81.46% and 95.12%, respectively. A total number of drugs prescribed by its genericname were 235 (12.60%). Among 1865 medicines prescribed, 1215 (65.15%) were prescribed from National List of Essential Medicine (NLEM).Gastrointestinal agents (17.28%) were the most frequently prescribed class of drug followed by cardiovascular drugs (17.14%). Based on 2012 Beerscriteria, 66 (32.19%) prescriptions were found inappropriate.Conclusions: Our study suggests that current practice in our hospital is associated with greater polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use.Prescribing from NLEM was fair. Use of injectables and antibiotics were high. Drugs prescribed in generic name were low. In future, multidisciplinaryapproach should be endorsed for rational drug use in the geriatric population.Keywords: Drug utilization, Geriatrics, Beers criteria, National List of Essential Medicine, World Health Organization core prescribing indicators.Â

Ripple quick start guide: get started with XRP and develop applications on Ripple's blockchain

Ripple uses blockchain technology to make international money transfer fast and efficient. Since it drastically reduces cost, it is widely accepted by financial institutions around the world. This book will help you with both theoretical and practical knowledge on how you can use the ripple technology. Since this book takes a hands-on ..

Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Colon

Overall, colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women, meaning that it is one of the more widely recognized preventable cancers. Instances of colorectal malignancies though are overwhelmingly attributable to adenocarcinoma. Colorectal cancers with components of squamous cell carcinoma represent a statistical anomaly. Here, we present the case of a 50-year-old male, who complained of abdominal pain and weight loss over a 3-month period of time. Biopsies from a colonoscopy ultimately revealed that this patient’s colon cancer consisted of both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, representing a truly exceptional pathology finding in a patient diagnosed with a colorectal cancer