Drug Prescription Pattern in Pediatric Patients of Bronchial Asthma Attending outpatient Department in a Private Hospital

Abstract

Bronchial asthma, being a chronic airway disease, requires long-term pharmacotherapy. Since, a wide range of antiasthmatic drugs are available, study of prescription pattern is essential to promote rational use of drugs. The aim of the study was to evaluate prescription pattern in paediatric patients of bronchial asthma in a private hospital. An observational, non-interventional cross-sectional study was conducted in paediatric outpatient department at a private hospital in Aurangabad after institutional ethical clearance. Asthmatic children of either gender or age group 1-17 years were enrolled and patients details such as demographic details, drugs used etc. were filled in the specially designed case record form. Data was presented in percentages. SPSS software version 20.0 was used to analyse data using statistical test ANOVA. ‘P’ value ≤ 0.05 was considered as significant. Out of total 300 children enrolled in the study, 43.33% children had intermittent asthma, 16.33% had mild persistent, 21.34% had moderate persistent and 19% had severe persistent asthma. Asthma in majority of the children (40%) was partly controlled. Maximum study population was males of 6-10 years of age. Most of the children received multiple anti-asthmatic drugs (66%) and prevalence of two drug combinations was the highest (46%). Average drugs per prescription were 2.7. Inhalational route was preferred. Most commonly encountered anti-asthmatic drugs were short acting beta 2 agonists (74.33%) followed by inhalational corticosteroids (56.33%). Inhalational corticosteroid usage was profound in children with persistent asthma. Encounter with antibiotics was found to be 18.33%. All the drugs were prescribed by their brand names. Inhaled and oral corticosteroids were prescribed more often in children with persistent asthma than children with intermittent asthma and differences were statistically significant (p=0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was observed among intermittent and persistent asthma in terms of prescription of drugs like salbutamol, levosalbutamol, levosalbutamol plus ipratropium bromide and salmeterol plus fluticasone. The findings of the study suggested a rational approach in providing anti-asthmatic pharmacotherapy to children. Health care professionals seemed to be well versed with the current treatment guidelines. Only matter of concern is prescribing with brand names. Promotion of educational strategies and programmer will incur awareness about benefits of prescribing generic drugs.