Abstract

STUDY THE TRENDS IN DERMATOLOGICAL DISEASE AND PATTERN OF PRESCRIPTION IN DERMATOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Ankur Kushwaha*

ABSTRACT

Skin is the outermost layer and hence, it is in directly contact with environment and thus this can alter the skin physiology either intrinsic (e.g. genetic, metabolic processes) or extrinsic factors (e.g. chemicals, pathogens). Many of dermatological diseases require longer time of treatment and thus, they impact on the physical, social, psychological and financial burden on the patient. The objective of this study was to evaluate the common dermatological diseases and to assess the prescription pattern in terms of WHO core prescribing indicators among the patients visiting OPD. Total 200 prescriptions of patients visiting the dermatology department were included in the study after getting informed consent. The demographic and Sociodemographic were also analyzed. Among 200 patients 117 (59%) and 83 (42%) were males and females, respectively. Majority of the patients (29%) were in age group of 29-38 years. The common disease among study population was Tinea (29.17%), followed by other fungal infection (20.84%). A total of 906 drugs were prescribed with an average of 4.53 drugs per prescription. Only 1.96% drugs were prescribed by their generic name which is drastically low and 11.70% drugs were prescribed from WHO EML. 35.33% of drugs were prescribed in FDCs. Among therapeutic class of drugs, Corticosteroids 266 (29.36%), followed by Antifungals 174 (19.21%) and Antihistamines 164 (18.11%) was most frequently prescribed drugs. More than 3 drugs were prescribed in 45.50% prescriptions which clearly indicate high prevalence of Polypharmacy. Among individual drugs Levocetirizine 103 (11.36%), followed by Tolterodine 101 (11.14%) were prescribed.

Keywords: Dermatology, Prescription Pattern, WHO Core Prescribing Indicators, FDCs, Corticosteroids.