ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetes a chronic disease is associated with significant morbidity, complications with poor glycemic control. Hence, meticulous management is necessary. Comorbid conditions increase chances of polypharmacy and irrational prescriptions in diabetic patients. This prospective non interventional study aimed to gather and study the drug utilization pattern in diabetic patients. Methods: The study was conducted in 50 diabetic patients admitted in medicine ward. Patients were included in the study only after obtaining written informed consent form; all relevant data were collected from case record forms and were analyzed. Results: Diabetes mellitus was observed to be highest in patients with the age group of 60-70 years, affecting 66% males and 34% females. Among the participants 42 (84%) were already on treatment for diabetes while 8 (16%) were diagnosed at the time of admission. We observed that 27 (54%) patients were treated with insulin + oral hypoglycemic agents, 13 (26%) were treated with only Insulin while 10 (20%) patients were prescribed only oral hypoglycemic agents. The most common comorbid conditions observed by us were hypertension, chronic renal disease, diabetic foot, septicemia, urinary tract infections and other susceptible infections. Conclusion: To conclude, the study reveals that Metformin continues to be the choice of oral hypoglycemic agents with least adverse effects and insulin was used to treat uncontrolled state, where physicians have greatly considered the socio-economic status while prescribing which is obvious with least use of costly insulin preparations.
ABSTRACT
Telemedicine is an application of information technology in relation to patient health care, treatment, education, research, administration and the public health. It forms a potential bridge between the patient and doctor which ages a century with a good development in its growth. In developing countries like India with more than 60% of population living in rural areas with poor medical facilities, telemedicine can fill the gap and provide the timely care, appropriate treatment and medical assistance with less expense in relation to time and money. Telemedicine also helps in maintenance of electronic health records, remote monitoring of the cases, recording and reporting of adverse drug reactions, continued medical education programs and training programs to health care providers. Telemedicine can be practiced by store and forward method, interactive services, remote monitoring and by telepharmacy practises with the help of internet. The telemedicine system practice adapted more rampantly would help in easy flow and better health care delivery system to the remotest places in rural setups to save the lives, time and cost of the suffering. Perhaps the slogan “Health for all by 2000” which was forgotten towards the end of last century, can still be achieved by the year 2020 by making the telemedicine revolution happen in India.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are the leading causes of maternal and perinatal mortality. Management of preeclampsia and eclampsia remains controversial even today. Several drugs with different regimens are available at present. As a consequence; women are treated in various ways by different regimens. Aim: Our work aimed to study the use of various magnesium sulfate regimens used in management of eclampsia in a tertiary care teaching rural hospital. Methods: A prospective, observational, non-interventional study was carried out among the eclamptic patients admitted to obstetrics ward. After explaining the purpose and method of study, through the patient information sheet, patients willing to sign the informed consent form were enrolled for the study. Relevant data was gathered from their case files and by direct interview with the patients that were recorded in the case record form. Results: Of the 35 cases of eclampsia recorded during the study period, we observed that all the patients were treated with Pritchard’s regimen of Magnesium Sulfate. It was noticed that there was improvement in all the patients with no adverse drug reactions recorded during the time of management. Conclusion: Maternal and perinatal mortality can be reduced to major extent by prevention of eclampsia. Prompt diagnosis and institution of therapy by selecting an ideal anticonvulsant is essential as the maternal and perinatal mortality progressively rises with increase no of convulsions. Magnesium Sulfate is a potent anticonvulsant with mild antihypertensive activity with less adverse effects.
ABSTRACT
Aim: The study was conducted to evaluate use of over the counter (OTC) drugs among the medical students, nursing and clerical staff of tertiary care teaching rural hospital to determine the awareness and disadvantages on use of OTC. Methods: Responses to a feedback questionnaire covering various aspects on usage of OTC drugs were obtained from 100 medical students, 100 nursing and 100 clerical staff. Results: Among 300 respondents, 84% used OTC, commonly purchased by self. Majority of them started self medication within 2 days of their illness. The frequently reported illness that prompted self-medication included headache, cough and cold, fever, generalised weakness, acidity, dysmenorrhoea, and sleep disturbances. Majority of them obtained OTC by mentioning name of drug (81%), 35% by telling symptom and 15% by showing old prescription. We found that 87% people share OTC among relatives and friends. Conclusions: Usage of OTC was highest amongst medical students and nursing staff. Time consumption for consultation, the consultation fees and frequent visits were the commonly mentioned reasons for self medication. It was analysed that none of the clerical staff were aware of the drug, dose, frequency of administration and adverse reactions. While very little awareness of medication was found even among nursing staff and medical students. Therefore it is suggested that the public has to be educated on the type of illnesses to be self-diagnosed and medicated, dangers of OTC on misuse which would possibly lead to delay in detection of more serious underlying ailment and timely medication.
ABSTRACT
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is defined as the recurrence of psychological and physical symptoms in the luteal phase, which remit in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Symptoms of which fall in three domains: emotional, physical and behavioural e.g. irritability, anger, headache, fatigue, food cravings etc. The survey study of was conducted among 50 young & 50 middle aged women of S.B.K.S Medical Institute and Research Centre to find the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome with an emphasis on its management. Responses to a feedback questionnaire covering various aspects related PMS were obtained from 50 participants belonging to each group. The participants belonged to different range of literacy. It was found that 42% faced PMS regularly, while 58% occasionally. Of the 100 participants 68% suffered with backache, 64% leg cramps, 62% fatigue, breast tenderness and anger whereas 58% suffered with anxiety and generalized body ache. Of all the sufferers only 34% had received the treatment for PMS. Irrespective of the age PMS is common problem faced by women. With our study we observed that literacy has not mattered in the management of this health problem. Since there are reports stating that the severity of PMS can hamper the daily routine and even lead to suicidal tendency, it is essential that awareness programs need to be conducted to address the importance of managing the issue by pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods.