A study of prescription pattern of drugs used in the treatment of osteoarthritis in tertiary care teaching hospitals

Abstract

Background: Evaluation of drug utilization patterns need to be done consistently to facilitate obligatory modifications in prescription pattern of drug to hike the therapeutic benefit and to lessen the adverse effects. Osteoarthritis (OA) is becoming growingly acknowledged as a leading reason of chronic pain and lower limb disability amid the elderly people . There are a very few studies which assess the pattern of drug utilization in newly diagnosed osteoarthritis. So the aim & objective of this research is to study & analyze the recent trends in pattern of drug prescription in newly diagnosed osteoarthritis patients . Methods : It was Prospective, Observational study , newly diagnosed patients with osteoarthritis were enrolled in the study considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data was recorded in a specially designed proforma . Results: NSAIDs were most common prescribed class of drugs which were used in all prescriptions. Paracetamol was used in 73% prescriptions but always in combination with NSAIDs. Tramadol was used in 6%prescriptions. Corticosteroids were used in 7% of prescriptions. SYSADOAs were used in 13.5% prescriptions. Non-pharmacological measures like physiotherapy is not advised to any patient.