Abstract

PRESCRIBING PATTERN OF DRUGS IN THE TREATMENT OF HYPERTENSION IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Dr. Nazish Fathima*, Haran Prasad H. J., Hephzibha S. Mathew, Jasmin Seira Jose and Jemimah V. Cherian

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a common chronic medical condition which is identified as the 3rd leading risk factor for global burden of diseases. According to Joint National Committee guidelines, hypertension is defined as elevated systolic blood pressure of ≥140mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of ≥ 90mmHg. Objective: The objective of this study is to analyse the prescribing pattern associated with antihypertensives. Materials and Methods: A Prospective Observational study was carried out for a period of 6 months in an inpatient department in Shamanur Shivashankarappa Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre, a tertiary care teaching hospital, Davangere. The data was collected from case sheets of all inpatients taking at least one antihypertensive. Results: A total of 150 prescriptions were analysed, out of which, 88(58.66%) were males and 62(41.33%) were females. The mean age group of study population was found to be 60-80 years (52%). The most commonly reported co- morbidity along with hypertension was Diabetes mellitus 80 (53.33%). Monotherapy was most preferred therapy which was given in almost 76 (50.66%) followed by combination therapy. In monotherapy Calcium channel blockers 35(46.04%) was most commonly prescribed. Conclusions: The present study confirms that the Prescribing patterns of antihypertensive drugs were in concordance with joint national committee 8 guidelines for patients with different compelling indications. The most frequently prescribed class of drug as monotherapy was Calcium Channel Blockers, followed by diuretics, which was also the most commonly used class of drugs in combination therapy.

Keywords: Hypertension, Prescribing pattern, Anti-hypertensives, JNC-8.