Abstract

A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON PRESCRIBING PATTERN AND RATE OF MEDICATION ADHERENCE IN STROKE PATIENTS

Suha Aisha*, Anu Benny and Divya V. C.

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Abstract

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is the medical term for stroke in which blood flow to a part of the brain is stopped either by blockage or rupture of blood vessels. Worldwide, stroke is the second leading cause of mortality and the third leading cause of disability. The main objective of our study is to assess the prescribing pattern and rate of medication adherence in stroke patients. A prospective observational study was conducted for a period of 6 months at various departments of a Tertiary Care Hospital. Patients of both sex, above the age of 18 years, with a history of stroke and its associated comorbidities, and those who are diagnosed with stroke are included in the study. Written informed consent, Demographic details, clinical and medication details were collected in a specially designed form. A total of 77 patients were included in the study. This disease is mostly observed within the age group of 61-70 years, out of which 51 were male and 26 were female. Majority of the patient suffered from Ischemic stroke (87.01%). Dysarthria (41.55%) was the predominant symptom. Hypertension (62.23%), Diabetes mellitus (55.84%), and cardiovascular diseases (32.46%) were found to be the major comorbidities of stroke. The most commonly prescribed drug category was Antiplatelets (76.62%). The most commonly prescribed monotherapy drug was Atorvastatin (14.17%) and frequent combination therapy was Aspirin+clopidogrel (49.33%). The rate of medication adherence is measured using MARS (Medication Adherence Rating Scale) and the scored value of MARS showed that high adherence was reported in males and with patients less than 60 years of age. Based on comorbidities, patients with CVD were highly adherent. Regular investigations are therefore required to ascertain the prescribing pattern, increase adherence, stop recurring hospital admissions, and boost quality of life.

Keywords: Prescribing pattern, Stroke, Comorbidities, Medication adherence.