Drug Utilization (DU) 90% Study in Burn Population

Burn injuries are common in India. The medical community should take steps to improve the rational use of drugs in burn population.

To determine the Drug Utilization (DU) 90% pattern in burn population.

A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in burn ward, tertiary health care centre, Nashik in patients aged between 18–60 years and burn percentage >15%. Prescriptions were copied from the day of admission till discharge, death or non compliance of patients. DU 90%, core indicators and Defined Daily Dosage (DDD) were calculated.

Average percentage of burn was 61.96%. 31 patients died (62%) and 19 were survived (38%). Mortality rate was 20% in < 40% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA), 33% in 40–60% TBSA, 95% in TBSA >60%. Drug used in percentage was higher for Ringer Lactate (21.57%), Inj. Gentamicin (8.52%), Inj. Rinitidine (8.38%), Inj. Metronidazole (8.25%), Inj. Cefoperazone + Sulbactum (8.24%) and Inj. Ciprofloxacin (5.58%). The DDD% was found highest for Inj. Dexamethasone (23.3%) and lowest for Inj. Cefoperazone + Sulbactum (0.75%). DU 90% includes Inj. Dexamethasone (23.3%), Inj. Adrenaline (15.85%), Inj. Hydrocortisone (14.35%), Tab. Ranitidine (8.41%), Inj. Diclofenac (3.84%), Tab. Folic Acid (3.76%), Inj. Deriphyllin (3.52%), Tab. Diclofenac (3.5%), Inj. Sulbactum (3.01%), Tab. Ciprofloxacin (3%), Tab. Calcium Citrate (2.44%), Inj. Ciprofloxacin (2.32%), Tab. Ferrous Sulphate (2.2%), Inj. Metronidazole (2.16%), Inj.Gentamicin (1.96%).

Based on the observations made in this preliminary study (DU90%), there is need of multicentric (including private hospitals) and long duration evaluation with consideration of age, sex, socioeconomic factors to estimate the rational DU pattern in burn population.