Abstract

STUDY OF RISK FACTORS, PRESCRIPTION PATTERN AND COST ESTIMATION OF ACUTE GOUT IN A PRIVATE HOSPITAL

Swornima Thapa*, Nijan Upadhyay and Sabyata Gautam

Abstract

The principal objectives of this study were to determine the prescribing pattern, risk factors and cost estimation of the drugs commonly employed to treat acute gout in Nepal. Acute gout is one of the most common rheumatic diseases in the world. The incidence of gout has also risen rapidly in Nepal in the past decades. A prospective and descriptive study was conducted to assess the risk factors of acute gout, prescribing patterns and cost estimation of drugs used to treat acute gout in patients receiving treatment at nepal Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases Treatment Center, Jawlakhel, Nepal over a period of three months (July 2015 -September 2015).A total of 103 cases were studied. Hospitalized patients were excluded from this study. The results revealed that majority of the patients were males and fell under the age group 40-49 years. The majority of patients were alcohol consumers (62.1%), consumers of purine rich diet (84.5%), and hyperlipidemia (33%), hypertensive (6.8%).38.8% of the patients had family history of gout. Combination therapy was more common than mono-therapy. The combination of two drugs (60%) was used most frequently amongst the patients. Majority of the patients were treated with the combination of colchicine and febuxostat (53%).The average cost of the drugs per month was Rs 600.

Keywords: Hyperuricemia, gout, acute gout, risk factor.