Impact of awareness about hypertension on compliance to antihypertensive medication

Background: Hypertension, a common cardiovascular disorder accounts for 20-50% of all deaths. This risk can be greatly ameliorated by creating awareness about disease and its effective treatment alongside regular medical check-ups. Therapeutic failures result from patient non-compliance, manifested as intentional or unintentional errors in dosage or schedule, overuse or underuse of prescribed drugs and early termination of therapy. Adherence is helpful for management of hypertension and cost minimization. Non-adherence to the drug treatment is an important factor for uncontrolled hypertension and its complications.Methods: Patients were interviewed individually after taking informed consent, using pretested, predesigned, self- administered and closed ended questionnaire both before and 4 weeks after creating awareness about hypertension and its complications. Compliance measured by self-reporting in which knowledge of the patient about number of antihypertensive drugs being used, formulations of drugs, frequency of administration, duration of taking the drugs and knowledge of complications due to uncontrolled and untreated hypertension were assigned 1 score each. Patient having score of at least 4 out of total 5 was considered compliant.Results: No significant association of compliance with demographic and other variables like age, sex, marital status, economic status, education, urbanization, duration of treatment and drug procurement were noted. A significant increase in compliance in patients on antihypertensive medication was found 4 weeks after creating awareness about hypertension and its complication. A significant increase in compliance scores was also seen in non-compliant patients showing their shifting from non-compliance to compliance group. Overall compliance increased from 59.38% to 84.38%. A percentage decrease from 58.82% to 25% in patients having uncontrolled hypertension was also observed after the awareness about hypertension.Conclusions: Demographic variables, duration of hypertension and drug procurement have no significant effect on compliance to antihypertensive medication. There is persistence and improvement in compliance to antihypertensive medications after an education of the patients about hypertension and its complications

Pharmacovigilance analysis in a rural tertiary care hospital in North India: a retrospective study

Background: The main motive of PvPI (Pharmacovigilance Programme of India) is to collect valuable data so that signals can be generated from reported adverse drug events (ADEs). It also tries to establish their causality so that ADEs can be labelled as adverse drug reactions (ADRs) beyond any doubt.Methods: This retrospective observational study done in rural set up tertiary care teaching hospital collected data through voluntary reporting in ADR form of PvPI for period of 6 month. Causality assessment was done using WHO causality assessment scale.Results: In 150 reported cases, majority ADRs were due to tuberculosis, cancer and HIV treatments. Gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system were the major organs involved. Most ADRs occurred within first day of drug intake. Around 15% required hospitalization. 55% ADRs were probable and 41% were possible in nature. Vertigo and depression was most frequent ADR in MDR therapy. Rashes, pruritis, fever and joint pain was frequent in antiretroviral therapy. Dysguesia, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and constipation was frequent in patients taking anticancer drugs. Platins and antibiotics used for cancer therapy cause most cancer treatment ADRs.Conclusions: ADRs add to hospitalization expenses, insurance costs and increase in work loss days besides addition to patient suffering. Prior knowledge can help in better prescriptions and prevent valuable resource loss. Reasons for under-reporting of ADRs can be complacency, ignorance, lack of financial incentives for reporting, fear of litigation, claims of compensation and lack of time in busy hospital schedules

Characterization and comparative analysis of ADRs of various ART regimens: experience of our medical college from Western Himalayan region

Background: It is estimated that there are 35.3 million PLHA worldwide and 1.6 million have received ART. ART is freely available in designated ART Centres. HAART (highly active antiretroviral treatment) has significantly reduced AIDS related morbidity and mortality. It involves using three different drugs from two different classes. The main challenge in prescribing HAART is ADRs associated with it affecting patient compliance and treatment outcomes.Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out in the ADR monitoring Centre of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India.Results: The data for ADEs was collected from 108 patients over a period of 17 months. A total of 280 ADEs were reported in 65 females and 43 males. TLE was the commonest regimen in 61 (56%) patients followed by ZLN in 37 (34%). Neurological ADRs were reported in 39.8% cases with TLE that was nearly double as reported with ZLN regimen 20.5%. Dermatological ADRs were highest with other regimens (57.4%) followed by ZLN 20.5%. Similarly the frequency of Gastrointestinal ADR was highest with other regimens. Hematological ADRs were maximum with ZLN (22.9%) followed by TLE (3.3%). Most commonly reported ADRs were dizziness (10.7%), rashes (8.2%), anorexia and dyslipidemia (6.8%), asthenia (6.4%), pruritus (6%), joint pains (4.6%), insomnia, alopecia and vomiting (4.3%), numbness or parasthesia (3.9%), hepatotoxicity (3.6%) and deranged RFTs (1.8%).Conclusions: The real burden of ADRs due to ART cannot be estimated until voluntary and mandatory reporting system of ADRs works efficiently. A structured surveillance of the pharmacovigilance system can help to overcome these hurdles to ensure compliance with ART regimens

Increased resistance to Nalidixic acid and Ciprofloxacin in Salmonella isolates from the Sub Himalayan region

Background: During the last two decades, increased resistance to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin has become a cause of global concern. The present study was undertaken to ascertain nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin resistance in Salmonella isolates from our region. To know the true pattern of ciprofloxacin resistance by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) through E-test.Methods: All the Salmonella isolates recovered from blood cultures were screened for nalidixic acid resistance using 30µg disc by the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Ciprofloxacin susceptibility was done both by disc diffusion and MIC using CLSI breakpoints.Results: We analysed a total of 80 Salmonella isolates during the last three years. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi was the predominant serovar in 51 (64.8%) isolates, followed by Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi A comprising 28 (36.2%) isolates. Amongst the total isolates 78 (97.5%) were nalidixic acid resistant. Of these 54 (67.5%) showed intermediate susceptibility and 9 (11.2%) were ciprofloxacin resistant by the disc diffusion technique. On the contrary 29 (36.2%) had decreased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin; while a larger number 38 (47.5%) were detected resistant to ciprofloxacin on determination of MIC by the E-test.Conclusions: Screening for nalidixic acid acts as a surrogate marker to detect ciprofloxacin resistance. However, the true pattern of ciprofloxacin resistance can be determined by calculating the MIC by the E-test

Comparative efficacy of agomelatine versus sertraline in major depressive disorder in Himalayan region of India

Background: Depression, a major common affective disorder which carries excess mortality through suicide. Among various drug classes available SSRI’s are usually a choice, but many patients show inadequate response, residual symptoms or discontinue medication due to intolerable side effects. Disturbances of circadian rhythm function are an etiopathogenic hallmark of depression. The degree of circadian misalignment correlates with the severity of depression and circadian abnormalities may partially be a consequence of alterations in behavior and sleep patterns that accompany depression. Agomelatine an agonist acts on MT1 and MT2 receptors and antagonist of 5HT2c receptors contributes to its resynchronization of circadian rhythms, enhancement of dopaminergic and adrenergic input to the frontal cortex, induction of hippocampal neurogenesis, and ultimately, to its antidepressant effect.Methods: The study was randomized, prospective, comparative and interventional regarding the efficacy of therapy. Hundred consenting patients of MDD attending psychiatry OPD were screened for possible enrollment into group A(Agomelatine) and group B(Sertraline). Patients were assessed by semi-structured case recording form, DSM-IV- TR Criteria for major depressive episode, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and Clinical Global Impressions for severity (CGI-S) at baseline and CGI for improvement (CGI-I), every two weeks interval and final assessment at 8 weeks.Results: Socio-demographic parameters like age and sex distribution, marital status, locality, family type, educational status, occupation and socio-economic class were comparable between two groups. Similarly baseline HAM-D and CGI-S values between the two groups were statistically non-significant. HAM-D, CGI-S and CGI-I values at eight weeks among the two groups were also statistically non-significant but in all three sertraline had decreased the values to a greater extent and showed a trend towards improvement.Conclusions: Both groups had shown significant decrease in scores of all scales i.e. HAM-D, CGI-S, and CGI-I at the end of 8th week as compared to baseline scores, indicating that the uses of agomelatine and sertraline have resulted in significant improvement in symptoms of patients of MDD and reinforcing there efficacy in treatment of MDD. No statistical difference was observed between two groups.

Comparison of efficacy of azilsartan with olmesartan in patients of hypertension: randomized controlled trial

Background: Azilsartan and olmesartan are members of ARBs, used in the management of hypertension. Objective was to evaluate efficacy of azilsartan with olmesartan in patients of hypertension. Methods: A randomized, prospective, open label, comparative study was carried out in Pharmacology and Medicine department at Dr. RPGMC Kangra at Tanda, HP. The study stretched over one year and blood pressure was monitored at first, third and sixth month. Out of 69 patients, 35 patients in group A were prescribed tablet azilsartan 40 mg/day and 34 patients in group B patients were prescribed tablet olmesartan 20 mg/day. Tablet chlorthalidone 12.5 mg/day was add on in both the groups. Data was presented as mean+SD. Student’s t test was used and p value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: In group A, systolic blood pressure (SBP) values improved from baseline of 153±10 mmHg to 111±18 mmHg (p<0.001) at 3 months and 109±6.1 mmHg (p<0.001) at 6 months and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) values from baseline of 87±7 mmHg to 67.1±4.6 mmHg (p<0.001) at 3 months and 67.6±2.5 mmHg (p < 0.001) at 6 months. In group B, SBP values improved from baseline of 154±8.5 mmHg to 127±3.6 mmHg (p<0.001) at 3 months and 123±4 mmHg (p<0.001) at 6 months and DBP values from baseline of 85±6.5mm Hg to 75.7±3.3 mmHg (p<0.001) at 3 months and 73±3.3 mmHg (p<0.001) at 6 months. On intergroup comparison improvement in hypertension was better in azilsartan group (p<0.001). Conclusions: The study concluded that azilsartan is significantly better than olmesartan in controlling the hypertension

Saxagliptin induced bilateral knee arthralgia: a rare case report

A 55 year old female patient of type 2 diabetes mellitus on saxagliptin (5 mg once a day), a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor (DPP-4 inhibitors) as add on therapy to metformin (1000 mg twice a day). After two months of addition of saxagliptin, the patient had pain in both the knee joints. Saxagliptin was withdrawn and then the knee pain was gradually relieved. Other cause of joint pains like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, septic arthritis etc. were ruled out. We consider that this case is important in bringing this potential side effect to the attention of both pharmacologists and primary care physicians as DPP- IV inhibitors has been the most commonly used drug substitute to glimepiride as an add on therapy to metformin

A randomized controlled trial to compare ramipril and sacubitril/valsartan in post-acute coronary syndrome patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction in terms of improvement in ejection fraction

Background: Ramipril and sacubitril/valsartan are used in the management of ACS patients with left ventricle systolic dysfunction. The objective of the study was to compare ramipril and sacubitril/valsartan in improving LVEF in post ACS patients with LVEF <40%. Methods: A randomized, prospective, open label, comparative study was carried out in department of pharmacology and cardiology at Dr. R. P. G. M. C. Kangra at Tanda, Himachal Pradesh. The study was carried for a period of one and a half year. Out of 80 patients, 38 patients were in ramipril group and 42 were in sacubitril/valsartan group. Data was presented as mean±SD, frequency and percentage. Student’s t test and chi square test were used and p value<0.05 was considered significant. Results: In both the groups, a statistically significant improvement was observed in terms of improvement in LVEF at 6th month when compared to baseline, however, at 6th month both the groups were comparable in terms of LVEF improvement with p value of 0.275. Conclusions: The study concluded that both the drugs have same efficacy in improving LVEF in post ACS patients at 6th month

Profile of adverse drug reactions in patients on anti-tubercular drugs in a sub Himalayan rural tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Tuberculosis is a major public health problem, with one out of three people in the world are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The prevalence of MDR TB in India is 2-3% among new cases and 12-17% in reinfection cases. One of the reasons for MDR may be noncompliance to treatment due to adverse drug reactions. The present study was conducted to find out ADRs in patients on antitubercular treatment (ATT) under pharmacovigilance programme of India (PvPI).Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. Data was collected through voluntary reporting by health-care professionals (HCP) in standard IPC-PvPI prescribed suspected ADR reporting form and analyzed for 100 patients on ATT. Causality assessment was done using WHO causality assessment scale.Results: The maximum ADRs were reported in adults with a mean age of 40.79±16.79 years. Males (n=66) outnumbered females (n=34). There were 62% MDR-TB on DOTS-plus regimen, followed by 35% on Cat1 ATT for pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases and XDR-TB accounted for 3% of the total cases. The commonest ADRs in patients on MDR treatment were related to CNS 44 (27.5%), followed by Gastrointestinal system 31 (19%), psychiatric 20 (12.5%) otovestibular 13 (8%) and ophthalmic ADRs being the least in frequency 1 (0.6%). In contrast patients on Cat 1 ATT the ADRs involving Gastrointestinal system 44 (44%) followed by CNS 12 (12%), psychiatric 0% and ADRs related to otovestibular manifestations being the least 1 (1%) frequency.Conclusions: ADRs involving different organ systems were seen in both categories with varied frequency. Adverse drug reactions add to hospitalization expenses, insurance costs and increase in work loss days besides addition to patient suffering and loss of compliance. Prior knowledge can help in better prescriptions and prevent valuable resource loss

Frequency of gall bladder metaplasia and its distribution in different regions of gall bladder in routine cholecystectomy specimens

Background: In India, gall stone disease is more common in women in the north, north east and east as compared to other zones in the country. Gall bladder metaplasia has been documented as the precursor lesion of dysplasia and therefore carcinoma. Present study was conducted to ascertain the frequency and type of metaplasia along with distribution in different regions of gall bladder.Methods: All the post cholecystectomy gallbladder samples submitted for histopathology comprised the study material. Three sections were from body, fundus, and neck each. The five microns thick paraffin sections were cut with microtome and stained with Hemotoxylin and Eosin (H and E).Results: The present study was conducted on 119 cholecystectomy specimens submitted for histopathological examination. Amongst premalignant lesions, cholecystitis with metaplasia was seen in 55 (46.2%) cases. Pyloric metaplasia without intestinal metaplasia was most common metaplasia (30.2%) followed by combined metaplasia (12.60%) and only intestinal metaplasia (3.36%). Out of 55 cases, fundus showed metaplasia in 47 followed by body (44) and neck (36).Conclusions: Very high frequency of metaplasias was observed (46.2%) in routine cholecystectomy specimen with pyloric metaplasia as the predominant type and intestinal metaplasia was accompanied with pyloric metaplasia in most of the cases. Metaplasia was found to be more or less equally distributed in different regions of gall bladder