Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF DRUG USE PATTERN IN PATIENT WITH STROKE AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Lydia B. Peters*, Drisya Viswam, Nikhila K. V. and Babitha M.C

Abstract

Prescription pattern studies are a tool for assessing the prescribing and dispensing of medicines. The main aim of these study are to facilitate rational use of medicines and improving drug therapy. Stroke is the third major cause of mortality worldwide. WHO has defined stroke as "rapidly developing clinical signs of focal or global disturbance of cerebral function, lasting for more than twenty four hours or leading to death, with no apparent cause other than vascular origin.[1] A hospital based prospective observational study was done at a tertiary care hospital over a period of six month to analyse the Prescribing pattern and risk factors of stroke patients. The prescribing pattern of 140 patients were analysed and observed that male population (61%) is more prevalent to stroke than females (39%). Incidence of ischaemic stroke (74%) is more than haemorrhagic stroke (16%). The common risk factor of stroke was hypertension (66.43%) followed by diabetes (56.43%) and hyperlipidemia (29.29%). Alcohol and smoking were also found to be risk factor for stroke. Majority of the patients were prescribed with Antiplatelets (16.18%), Antihypertensives (13.12%), Antidiabetics (6.19%), Hypolipidemics (6.19%), Antibiotics (6.03%), Antiepileptics (3.46%), Nootropics (9.33%), PPIs (10.22%). The antihypertensives prescribed were CCBs (31.84%), ARBs (19.74%), Beta blockers (18.47%).

Keywords: Stroke, prescription pattern, drugs, antiplatelet drugs.