Abstract

A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON RISK FACTORS AND PRESCRIBING PATTERN OF DRUGS USED IN STROKE PATIENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Dr. Upendra N.*, J. S. Venkatesh, Shahin S., Sandra Sabu and Sharon Mariam John

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Abstract

Stroke is a neurological insufficiency marked by an acute focal injury to the central nervous system due to vascular causes which also includes cerebral infarction, intracranial hemorrhage along subarachnoid hemorrhage. The study's main aim is to identify the risk factors and prescribing patterns of stroke by carefully observing the management of stroke patients. A prospective observational study was carried out for six months in the inpatient medicine department.160 case reports of patients with stroke were reviewed, and details such as demographics and the prescribed drug were recorded. Out of 160 patients, the majority of the patients diagnosed with stroke were male (65%), and the distribution of disease was higher in the age group between 60 to 79 years (61.87%). Ischemic stroke was the most commonly diagnosed. Hypertension was the most observed comorbid condition. The most frequently prescribed monotherapy was Aspirin (12.23%) and the combination therapy was Aspirin and clopidogrel (49.29%). The current prescribing pattern was per AHA/ASA Guidelines. CT/MRI, a standard test for stroke diagnosis, was performed in this study, according to AHA/ASA guidelines. The study of Prescription patterns will help to improve patient management by rationalizing prescribing practice. The majority of the prescriptions were rational (75%) and were under AHA /ASA guidelines. The information leaflet has a significant impact on patients with stroke and other comorbidities towards disease management showing the usefulness of PILLS.

Keywords: Stroke, prescription pattern, Hypertension.