Prescription pattern of cardiovascular drugs in intensive cardiac care unit patients in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) account for high morbidity and mortality all over the world. A study of prescription pattern ensures rational pharmacotherapy and assures quality medical care to the patients. The aim was to observe the prescribing pattern of cardiovascular drugs among the patients admitted to intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU).Methods: Prior permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee was obtained, and a prospective study of cardiovascular drugs was conducted on 100 consecutive patients admitted in ICCU of the Basaveshwar Teaching and General Hospital, Gulbarga. The duration of the study will be of 12 months from June 2012 to May 2013. The prescriptions of the patient who are treated during the course of the study will be audited prospectively using a specially designed form to record the required information. The data were statistically analyzed and presented as counts and percentages.Results: Majority of the patients were male (59%), and most of the patients belonged to age group of 51-60 years. Most common drug class was antianginal drugs with aspirin and clopidogrel being the mostly used combination drug. Most of the drugs were prescribed rationally.Conclusion: The present study concluded that most of the drugs were prescribed rationally according to current guidelines. In addition to prescribing drugs, patients should be educated about the risk factors of CVD and how they can be prevented

Drug utilization study of antihypertensive drugs in hypertensive diabetic patients in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Diabetes along with hypertension is a very common ailment afflicting millions of people worldwide. The socio-economic stress caused by the morbidity and mortality associated with it is mind boggling. Hence, this study was undertaken to study the utilization of antihypertensive drugs in hypertensive diabetic patients.Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 100 hypertensive diabetic patients aged between 18 and 90 years of either gender attending Basaveshwar Teaching and General Hospital, Kalaburagi. The data collected were statistically analyzed and presented as counts and percentages.Results: In our study, we found that majority (63%) were male patients and majority belonged to 51-70 years age group. The majority of the patients were prescribed angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) alone (19%), followed by a combination of ACEIs and calcium channel blockers (9%). The generic prescribing was only 23%, and patient’s knowledge of correct dosage was 64%.Conclusion: In this study, it has been observed that the antihypertensives drugs were prescribed rationally, but the generic prescribing was only 23% which is inappropriate prescribing behavior. Hence, physicians should be educated to prescribe drugs in the generic name so that the cost of drugs is reduced

Polymorphic light eruption: Clinico epidemiological study and histopathological correlation

Introduction: Polymorphic light eruption (PLE) is the most common photodermatoses encountered in clinical practice. It is an idiopathic acquired disorder in which a delayed response to Ultraviolet radiation occurs in the form of skin eruptions consisting of papules, vesicles or plaques over the sun exposed and rarely on partially covered areas, distribution is generally symmetrical. Diagnosis is clinical and histo-pathological features vary according to age of lesions sampled. Objective: To study clinical pattern of Polymorphic Light Eruption and Histo-Pathological Correlation Methods: The present study is a hospital based observational study, conducted over a period of one year. A total of 70 cases including male and female patients presenting with history of photosensitivity or with clinical manifestations related to photosensitivity were enrolled. All patients underwent clinical and systemic examination followed by routine and histo-pathological investigations. The findings were recorded in proforma for analysis and interpretation of data. Follow-up was done to know the prognosis of the patients. Results: The study shows that females are more affected than males with a ratio of 1:2.33 and the maximum incidence in the age group of 11-20 years and minimum in the age group of 51-60 years

Polymorphic Light Eruption: Clinico Epidemiological Study and Histopathological Correlation

Introduction: Polymorphic light eruption (PLE) is the most common photodermatoses encountered in clinical practice. It is an idiopathic acquired disorder in which a delayed response to Ultraviolet radiation occurs in the form of skin eruptions consisting of papules, vesicles or plaques over the sun exposed and rarely on partially covered areas, distribution is generally symmetrical. Diagnosis is clinical and histo-pathological features vary according to age of lesions sampled. Objective: To study clinical pattern of Polymorphic Light Eruption and Histo-Pathological Correlation Methods: The present study is a hospital based observational study, conducted over a period of one year. A total of 70 cases including male and female patients presenting with history of photosensitivity or with clinical manifestations related to photosensitivity were enrolled. All patients underwent clinical and systemic examination followed by routine and histo-pathological investigations. The findings were recorded in proforma for analysis and interpretation of data. Follow-up was done to know the prognosis of the patients. Results: The study shows that females are more affected than males with a ratio of 1:2.33 and the maximum incidence in the age group of 11-20 years and minimum in the age group of 51-60 years