A prospective study on drug utilization pattern and rationality in treatment of type II diabetes mellitus: a population based analysis

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is an important public health problem in developing countries. Several anti-diabetic drug utilization studies have been published in the healthcare setting from various parts of world to facilitate rational drug use in patients with diabetes. Drug utilization studies provide useful insights into the current prescribing practices and also identify irrational prescribing that lead to consequences such as non-adherence to medications, improper dose administration that ultimately result into uncontrolled blood glucose levels and also escalate drug costs and health care costs. The results of Drug utilization studies (DUS) can suggest modifications in the existing prescribing practices to the prescribers, policy makers as well as drug and therapeutic committees in order to encourage rational use of drugs. Diabetes Mellitus (DM), a chronic non-transmissible disease, is the most prevalent disease in the world. ABSTRACT Background: Diabetes a chronic disease is associated with significant morbidity, complications with poor glycemic control. Hence, meticulous management is necessary. Comorbid conditions increase chances of polypharmacy and irrational prescriptions in diabetic patients. This prospective non interventional study aimed to gather and study the drug utilization pattern in diabetic patients. Methods: The study was conducted in 50 diabetic patients admitted in medicine ward. Patients were included in the study only after obtaining written informed consent form; all relevant data were collected from case record forms and were analyzed. Results: Diabetes mellitus was observed to be highest in patients with the age group of 60-70 years, affecting 66% males and 34% females. Among the participants 42 (84%) were already on treatment for diabetes while 8 (16%) were diagnosed at the time of admission. We observed that 27 (54%) patients were treated with insulin + oral hypoglycemic agents, 13 (26%) were treated with only Insulin while 10 (20%) patients were prescribed only oral hypoglycemic agents. The most common comorbid conditions observed by us were hypertension, chronic renal disease, diabetic foot, septicemia, urinary tract infections and other susceptible infections. Conclusion: To conclude, the study reveals that Metformin continues to be the choice of oral hypoglycemic agents with least adverse effects and insulin was used to treat uncontrolled state, where physicians have greatly considered the socioeconomic status while prescribing which is obvious with least use of costly insulin preparations.