Abstract

EVALUATION OF ADVERSE EFFECTS AND UTILIZATION OF GLUCOCORTICOIDS IN A TERITARY CARE HOSPITAL

Dr. Aruna Bhushan*, Dr. Vijaykumar Lakshman Lamani, Dr. Shilpa V. Dastikop, Dr. Gajanan Pise

Abstract

Introduction: Adverse drug reaction is a noxious unintended effect of a drug which occurs at therapeutic doses normally used in man and Drug utilization is an extent, nature and determinants of drug exposure. The study focuses on the drug use of glucocorticoids and adverse events. Objective: To study drug utilization with the special emphasis on the adverse effects of glucocorticoid used in the dermatology department in a tertiary care hospital. Methods and material: A non interventional prospective study was done in dermatology department. 760 inpatient and outpatient prescriptions with glucocorticoids were collected. The data collected was expressed in terms of averages, ratios and proportions. Results: Out of 760 patients, 498 females and 262 were male. Highest number of patients were of age group 31-40 years, inpatient were 96 and remaining 664 were outpatient. Prescriptions were analysed of which 59.2% were generic name. Drug betamethasone was the most prescribed glucocorticoid. Common adverse effects observed with glucocorticoids were skin atrophy 27(3.3%), purpura 21(2.6%), striae 21(2.6%) and weight gain 20(2.5%) and betamethasone was the most common causative drug. A few cases of Cushing syndrome were seen with prednisolone and dexamethasone. Conclusion: Use of glucocorticoids was found to be appropriate as per standard guidelines. Adverse drug reactions to glucocorticoids are more common and gender difference was significantly seen more in males than female patients.

Keywords: Adverse reactions, Glucocorticoid, Dermatology.