ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension is a major independent risk factor for coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, chronic kidney disease and peripheral vascular diseases if left untreated. Drug utilization study of antihypertensive drugs and the study on prevalence of blood pressure control would help in reducing the burden of the disease and health expenditure.Methods: The study was conducted in the Outpatient Department of Medicine in Government Medical College, Thrissur. Patients aged 18yrs or above diagnosed with hypertension, on antihypertensive drugs were enrolled in the study. Patients suffering from secondary hypertension and acutely ill were excluded. Patients were enrolled after taking an informed consent. Demographic data, present treatment for hypertension, associated co- morbid conditions if any, and treatment of the same were recorded. BP was recorded, and cost of treatment was calculated using CIMS.Results: A total of 250 patients were included in the study. Mono therapy was used in 64.8% patients and combination therapy in 35.2%. Overall drug utilization pattern showed that CCBs (42.8%) were most commonly prescribed, followed by ACEIs (32.4%) and ARBs (29.2%). Most commonly prescribed combination therapy was ACE I + BB (29.3%), followed by ARB + CCB (21.3%). Mean cost of antihypertensive drug therapy was 3057.8 Rs / yr. Recommended target BP was achieved in 49.6% of patients.Conclusions: The prescription pattern of antihypertensive drug was in accordance to the JNC-VIII guidelines. The blood pressure target was achieved only in less than 50% of patients.
ABSTRACT
Background: Substantial part of the world population has been known for a long time to suffer from peptic ulcer disease. In the present study, Curcuma longa, a plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae family was chosen for investigating its anti-ulcer properties.Methods: The rhizomes of Curcuma longa were collected locally. The extract was prepared by soxhlet extraction with 50% ethanol. Albino rats of Wistar strain (120-200 grams) obtained from the animal house of medical college Thiruvananthapuram were used. Ranitidine was collected from Kerala Sate Drugs and Pharmaceutical LTD Alapuzha. Antiulcer study in rats were done using the method of pyloric ligation.Results: Antiulcer study in rats using the method of pyloric ligation, extract of Curcuma longa in 1000mg/Kg dose levels exhibited significant protection against shay ulceration. The results were comparable to that of standard drug Ranitidine.Conclusions: The present study with extract of Curcuma longa revealed that it has significant anti-ulcer activity.