Abstract

PATTERN OF ANALGESICS USE IN ORTHOPEDIC WARDS OF KING SAUD MEDICAL CITY, RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

Maya Mathew*, Dr. Latif A. Khan and Dr. Saleh Alharthi

Abstract

Background: Over the past 2 decades, KSA has recorded 86,000 deaths, and 611,000 injuries in road traffic accidents but information on the drug utilization pattern in the orthopedics inpatients in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were lacking. The present study was carried out to obtain baseline information regarding the pattern of analgesic prescribing in King Saud medical city. Methods: The study was carried out over a two-month period at King Saud medical city, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Total number of drug prescriptions was recorded. The percentage of analgesics prescribed was noted and further studied. Results: 955 prescriptions of 204 patients admitted in the orthopedic inpatient wards were analyzed during the study period. Out of 204 patients studied 159 (78%) were male, and 45 (22%) female. Majority of the patient were below the age of 40yrs (69%). Traumatic injury from falls (46%) was the most common cause for hospitalization. Narcotics analgesics were used commonly followed by paracetamol and lornoxicam. Conclusions: Majority of our patients were males with fractures and road traffic accidents. Narcotic analgesics were commonly prescribed on arrival and in operation theatres and on debridement. Paracetamol and lornoxicam were commonly prescribed in wards. Most analgesic prescriptions last less than 10 days. Studies covering a larger number of patients and for a longer time period are required. A greater number of patients can be studied, seasonal variations can be overcome and drug utilization can be measured quantitatively.

Keywords: Analgesics, Prescription pattern, Orthopedics, Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, Opioid.