ABSTRACT
Background: COPD is a major cause of health care burden worldwide and leading cause of death that is increasing in prevalence. Methylxanthines are used in the treatment of patients with asthma and COPD. Doxofylline (methylxanthine) shows improved disease control, reduced total daily dose of inhaled b2 agonists and improved patient compliance.Methods: This was a prospective, open labelled, randomized, two-arm, parallel group, controlled, clinical trial. 115 patients were randomized to two groups. Patients in group A received tablet doxofylline 400mg BD whereas patients in group B received tablet doxofylline 800mg SR for 4 weeks. Primary outcome measure of trial was change in FEV1 and secondary outcome measure were change in FVC/FEV1, change in symptoms score, effect on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and safety of study medication.Results: At 4 week the FEV1increase by 13.028% and 17.647% in group A and B respectively. In group A FEV1/FVC increase by 5.79% and in group B it increases by 9.57% at 4 weeks. The symptom score of cough decrease by 77.35% and 97.43% in group A and group B respectively at 4 weeks. In group A shortness of breath decrease by 77.60% and in group B it decreases by 95.90% at 4 weeks. Tightness in chest decrease by 86.29% and 98.40% in group A and group B respectively at 4 weeks.Conclusions:Doxofylline 800mg sustained release tablet provided significantly greater improvement in FEV1, symptomatic control and health related quality of life compared to doxofylline 400mg.
ABSTRACT
Background: Drug utilization studies (DUS) are used as potential tool in the evaluation of healthcare system. DUS are conducted to facilitate the rational use of drugs in populations. The indicators of prescription in practice measure the performance of health care provider in several key dimensions related to appropriate use of drug. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to analyze the prescription written by doctors in a Tertiary Care Hospital in rural area.Methods: Present study is a cross sectional, prospective and observational study. The study was conducted in a rural tertiary, teaching hospital at JIIU’s Indian Institute of Medical Science and Research, Warudi, Taluka Badnapur from January 2017 to September 2017 for duration of 9 months. Data was obtained from 300 prescriptions. Data was analysed as per WHO prescribing indicators.Results: Average number of drugs in the present study was found to be 2.85. Percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name is 13.48%. Percentage of encounters with an antibiotic prescribed 60%. Percentage of encounters with an injection prescribed 4.33%. Percentage of drugs prescribed from essential drugs list 72.91%.Conclusions: These types of studies help to design policy for rational use of drugs and motivation of physician for rational use of drugs.