IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-9-8-26450 Original Research Paper A prospective study of prescribing patterns in asthma patients in tertiary care hospital Hans Dr. August 2020 9 8 01 02 ABSTRACT

Introduction : Bronchial asthma is a social and economic healthcare burden. Drug utilization studies are important tools to assess current prescription practices against standard guidelines and help in rationalizing the management. Materials and Methods: This prospective cross–sectional study was designed to evaluate the pattern of drug utilization in bronchial asthma patients in a government hospital of Amritsar. Prescribing information of patients of all ages and both sexes diagnosed with bronchial asthma being treated with at least one of the anti–asthmatic medications was utilized. Demographic details, brand/ generic name, route and frequency of the drug were recorded. Prescriptions were examined for order, number, and therapeutic class of drugs in addition to appropriateness. Patients having other respiratory disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), bronchitis, emphysema, or any comorbidity such as diabetes, hypertension, and peptic ulcer were excluded. Results: A total of 400 prescriptions were studied. Patients were aged from 4 months to 75 years, with 55% males and 45% females. Bronchodilators followed by steroids were the most common drug groups. Salbutamol and budesonide were the most common from each group, respectively. 82.5% of the patients were having at least two drugs. Number of drugs per prescription were 3.16. 63.75% drugs were administered by inhalational route and 32.5% by oral route. 75% prescriptions were found to be appropriate. Conclusion: Prescription pattern was mainly in accordance with standard guidelines with some knowledge and technical gaps in prescription writing methodology.