Abstract

STUDY ON ASSESSMENT OF ANTIBIOTICS AND INHALED THERAPY FOR CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE AND PNEUMONIA IN HOSPITALISED PATIENTS OF A TERITARY CARE HOSPITAL

Sharanabasavaraj B. M.*, Kanya R., M. M. Varghese, Archana K. Chandran, M. M. Kauser and S. R. Vagesh Kumar

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, preventable and treatable chronic lung disease characterised by persistent airflow limitation that is usually progressive. Pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs and is caused by microorganisms. For the purposes of the current review, comorbidities are defined as the presence of one or more distinct disorders in addition to COPD and Pneumonia, regardless of whether the comorbid conditions are or are not directly related to COPD and Pneumonia. In order to achieve the best clinical response, to minimize toxicity and to prevent the emergence of resistance pathogens, empiric therapy should select the right dose and the most appropriate duration of treatment. Objectives: To assess the prescription pattern of various antibiotics and inhaled therapy in the treatment of COPD and Pneumonia. To assess the prevalence of comorbidities associated with COPD and Pneumonia. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out over a period of six months among the inpatients in the Department of General Medicine at Basaveshwara Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Chitradurga. Results: A total of 70 patients were included in the study of which 35 were COPD and 35 were Pneumonia patients. Inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators were the highly prescribed inhalation therapy in COPD, namely, Budesonide (44.9%) and Levosalbutamol + Ipratropium bromide (44.9%). Among antibiotics Ceftriaxone and Azithromycin were more preferred (22.9%). Regarding Pneumonia Piperacillin+ Tazobactam (26.6%) and Azithromycin (26.6%) were the most commonly recommended antibiotics. In addition to this Levosalbutamol + Ipratropium bromide (47.5%) was the bronchodilator of choice. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus emerged as the frequently associated comorbid conditions of COPD and Pneumonia. Conclusion: Inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroids, as monotherapy or in combination, remain the mainstay treatment for COPD patients, whereas in case of Pneumonia antibiotic therapy is the prompt treatment. Assessment and treatment of diseases are significantly impacted by the presence of comorbid diseases.

Keywords: COPD, Pneumonia, Antibiotics, Comorbidities, Prevalence.