A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERN IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Poly-pharmacy being most common in chronic kidney disease patients (CKD). The present study was carried out to analyse current prescribing trends in the management of CKD patients and to compare it with WHO Core Indicators. Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out for three months (15th July 2019 – 15th October 2019) after Institutional Ethics Committee approval at a tertiary care hospital. Patients diagnosed with CKD by treating Nephrologist were included and their prescriptions (OPD card) were analysed to study the prescribing patterns. Results: A total of 60 cases were analysed during the study, of which 73.3% were males and 26.7% were females. The common comorbidities were hypertension (36.6%), diabetes (36.6%), other cardiovascular diseases (26.6%), anaemia (3.33%), Ca Cervix (1.67%), osteoarthritis (6.67%). Among drugs Antihypertensive drugs (40.9%) were the most commonly used drugs, followed by, Anti-diabetic drugs, calcium salts and multi-vitamins (19.7%), oral iron supplements and erythropoietin (13.4%) and ulcer protective (6.1%). Conclusions: Polypharmacy being followed in these CKD patients were necessary for multiple conditions of patient, supplemental drugs decreased adverse effects on initial drug and they yielded synergistic effects. Maximum numbers of drugs were prescribed from anti-diabetic, antihypertensive, supplemental drugs and other cardiovascular class of drugs. The principle of rational prescribing was followed. The right choice of drugs and in appropriate doses will reduce the incidence of nephrotoxicity and ultimately result better clinical outcomes.