Experience of the drug utilization pattern of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used in outpatient attendees (Patients) having osteoarthritis of a tertiary care hospital in central India

Abstract

Objective: The prime goal of prescription utilization study aims to facilitate patients’ rational drug use for osteoarthritis (OA). OA being the commonest form of joint disease and the foremost cause of pain in aged people. The aim of this research was to offer feedback on the use of medicines for OA treatment. Methods: A 1-year prospective observational research conducted in collaboration with the orthopaedics department. 280 patients were enrolled satisfying the exclusion and inclusion conditions using the convenience sampling technique. Patients’ data were recorded in the case report form and analysed. Results: Among 280 patients enrolled in the study, OA seemed to be more common in females as 53.5% of patients were females as compared to 45% of male patients. The most impacted age grouping in the study was 46–60 (60.7%) followed by 61–75 (30.7%). Aceclofenac and paracetamol are the most commonly used nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in 29.6% of patients followed by a combination of diclofenac + paracetamol in 18.5%, etoricoxib in 16.7% and paracetamol and tramadol in combination in 8.2% of patients. Conclusions: In our study, it was seen that OA affects females more often than males and the knee joint being the commonly affected joint. Aceclofenac and paracetamol combination was the most the most preferred drug. Drug use research’s main goal is to encourage communities to take medications responsibly. Drug prescribing studies seek to inform prescribers about the proper use of medications and to give them feedback for rational use of drugs.