A Cross-Sectional Study To Evaluate age and Gender Related Differences in Drug Utilization in Ischemic Heart Disease at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Drug utilization study is a powerful exploratory tool to evaluate the present trends of drug prescribing and appropriateness of prescription. To analyse the age and gender related differences in utilization of different classes of drugs in patients for Ischemic heart disease (IHD) management. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted from August 2017 to March 2018 in Cardiology department, PMSSY, BMC&RI, Bengaluru. The demographic, and drug prescription data of IHD patients were analyzed according to age group (18–59 years versus ≥ 60 years) and gender wise. Out of 520 patients diagnosed with IHD, 68% were male patients and 60% were aged ≥ 60 years. The most common co-morbid condition was Hypertension (66%) and was significant in patients aged ≥ 60 years (P= 0.0033). Anti-platelet drugs (100%) followed by Lipid lowering drugs (96%) were most commonly prescribed. The average number of drugs per prescription was found to be 6.44. Prescription of Dual anti-platelet therapy was found to be significant among men (<0.0001). Prescription of Diuretics (p = 0.045) and Pregabalin (p = 0.031) were significantly higher among females and Prescription of Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) was significantly higher among those aged 18–59 years. Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus were the most common co-morbidities observed with IHD. ARBs, Diuretics, Proton pump inhibitors, Anti Diabetic Agents and Pregabalin showed significant differences in the drug utilization with respect to age and gender. Dual anti-platelet therapy was observed to be significantly higher among males. This study has been registered in CTRI (CTRI/2018/05/013949).