Study of utilization pattern and patient compliance of oral anti-hyperglycemic drugs in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Eastern India

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major chronic health problem globally, so the patterns of drug utilization study of oral anti-hyperglycemic drugs are of chief concern to promote rational drug use in diabetics and make available the valuable information for the healthcare providers. Objective: This study was performed to determine the drug utilization pattern of oral anti-hyperglycemic drugs in Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Eastern India. Materials and Methods: A prospective, observational, and noncomparative study was carried for 12 weeks in T2DM patients on oral anti-hyperglycemic drugs for at least 1 week. Results: Total 230 patients were enrolled with mean age of 54.66 ± 13.24 years and duration of diabetes was 8.71 ± 7.78 years. Among these, 78 (33.91%) were in the age group 51–60 years, 132 (57.39%) had a diabetic history of <10 years, and 168 (73.04%) had associated hypertension. Mean number of drugs prescribed were 7.01 ± 2.73. Total numbers of patients receiving more than five drugs were 162 (70.43%). The biguanide (85.21%) was the most commonly prescribed oral anti-hyperglycemic drugs followed by sulfonylureas (58.26%). The 97 (75.78%) female patients were shown good compliance as compared with 72 (70.58%) males. Conclusion: Metformin (Biguanide) was the most commonly prescribed oral anti-hyperglycemic drugs for Type-2 diabetes. This study indicates the clinical monitoring of the patient's compliance to the prescribed drug for achieving good glycemic control is also recommended, along with other comprehensive management such as life style changes, dietary modification, treatment of complications, and co-morbidities related to diabetes.