1Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Raja Rajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Kambipura, Mysore Road, Bangalore
2Associate Professor, Department of pharmacology, MVJMC & RH, Hoskote, Bangalore
3Senior Medical Advisor, Biocon Ltd, Bangalore
Online published on 23 January, 2014.
Diabetes mellitus and Hypertension are closely interlinked to an extent that they can be seen as a cause and effect of each other. Diabetes mellitus with hypertension requires lifelong treatment and needs care while choosing drugs. This study attempts to analyze the prescription pattern of type-2 diabetes mellitus with co-existing hypertension in a tertiary care hospital and give feedback to the prescribers so as to improve quality of healthcare.
To analyze the prescription pattern in type-2 diabetes mellitus with co-existing hypertension.
A prospective, observational study in medicine department at Victoria hospital with the study population of 160.
Prescription given by physicians for patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus and co-existing hypertension were collected and analyzed
Descriptive statistical analysis has been carried out in the present study.
Of the total 160 prescriptions studied, anti-diabetic class of drugs were prescribed in the descending order Biguanides (79.4%), Sulfonylureas (76.3%), Insulin (25%), Alpha glucosidase inhibitors (13%) and Thiazolidinediones (11.9%). Among biguanides metformin was the only drug prescribed and among sulfonylureas glibenclamide was most commonly prescribed. Sulfonylurea plus metformin was the most common drug combination prescribed. Anti-hypertensive drug classes were prescribed in the following descending order, CCBs (41.3%), ACE inhibitors (37.5%), ARBs (18.8%), Beta blockers (17.5%), Diuretics (5.6%) and Alpha blockers (0.6%). Among CCBs, amlodipine and among ACE inhibitor, enalapril were most commonly prescribed. Polypharmacy was seen in 29.4% of the study population. 28.1% of drugs were prescribed by generic name and 71.9% by brand name.
Upon overall analysis it was found that, in the study population biguanides were the most common antidiabetic drugs and CCBs were the most common antihypertensive drugs prescribed. There is polypharmacy seen which needs to be curbed. Use of rational drug combinations needs to be promoted. The present prescribing pattern can be improved by advocating rational drug prescribing, patient education and improving hospitals.
Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Prescription Pattern
