ABSTRACT
For better understanding about derivation of various parameters related to pharmacokinetics, this model is developed. Animals or human volunteers are not used in this model but the principles used in pharmacokinetic studies in volunteers are incorporated. There is detailed description about setting of the model and derivation of various parameters step by step. An example is followed to illustrate the calculations involved. Possibilities of further extension of model to derive additional parameters and variations are discussed. The experience indicates that the model serves as a good demonstration to undergraduate students and a meaningful experiment for PG-students for learning and as a practical-examination exercise. The purpose of the article is to widen the use of this simple teaching tool at various centers.
ABSTRACT
Background: Nowadays irrational use of drugs is a major problem inspite of extensive programs being carried out on rational use of medicines. Therefore, in present study we evaluated OPD prescriptions for rationality and their adherence to prescription format.Methods: A prospective, observational study was carried out in 511 outdoor patients for a period of three months. Quality of prescription writing was assessed for completeness of information and legibility. Rationality was analyzed using WHO core prescribing indicators.Results: Basic information of patient and name of department were written in all the prescriptions. Diagnosis was mentioned in 76.33% cases. Dosage forms, dose, frequency and duration of treatment were mentioned in 97.26%, 73%, 80.04% and 80.23% of prescriptions respectively. About 73.78% prescriptions were legible. Doctor’s name, signature and registration number were present in 80.82%, 82.97% and 15.66%. Total number of drugs in 511 cases was 1074. Average number of drugs/ prescriptions was 2.1±0.8. Drugs were prescribed by generic name in 25.14% cases; drugs from EDL were 57.36%. Antimicrobial agents, injectable drugs and FDCs were prescribed in 25.83%, 12.13% and 39.14% cases. The most commonly prescribed drugs were analgesics, GIT and cardiovascular drugs.Conclusions:This study shows possible areas of improvement in prescription practice that is generic prescribing, use of essential medicines, restraint in use of irrational fixed dose combinations and better quality of prescribing in terms of inclusiveness of information, legibility and doctor’s details.
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Background: Dyspepsia is one of the common complaints in all sectors of the Indian population. It is diagnosed in the presence of symptoms thought to originate from gastroduodenal region and if there is no organic cause to explain dyspeptic symptoms on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, the patient is labeled as functional dyspepsia (FD). Helicobacter pylori, a Gram-negative bacilli harboring in the acidic gastric environment has been said to be the causative agent, but this association has not been proved in Indian population. Hence, this study was conducted to find out the prevalence of H. pylori in FD. Methods: After the approval from Institutional Ethics Committee, patients presenting with symptoms of dyspepsia of both sex, within age group of 18-60 years and any dietary habit were enrolled in the study. After a detailed history and complete general and systemic examination, patients were subjected to gastroduodenoscopy. On endoscopy, if no lesion was observed, then the patient was labeled as FD. The severity of dyspepsia symptoms was assessed by seven-point global overall symptom (GOS) scale. Patients were then screened for H. pylori infection by both invasive (rapid urease, Gram staining, and culture) and non-invasive tests (C-14 urea breath test). Results: The prevalence of H. pylori in FD was found to be 63.38%. Among 90 H. pylori positive FD patients, 56% were male, 58.89% were below the age of 40 years, and 53.33% belonged to middle income group. The average GOS score for dyspepsia symptoms was 6.01±0.64. Epigastric pain and mild gastritis were the most common presenting symptom and endoscopic finding, respectively. Conclusion: Our results suggest that H. pylori is an important causative factor for dyspeptic symptoms in patients of FD. Hence, all the FD patients must be investigated for H. pylori and treated promptly.
ABSTRACT
Background: The burden of illness resulting from psychiatric and behavioral disorders is enormous; although, it remains grossly under represented by conventional public health statistics, which focus on mortality rather than the morbidity or dysfunction. Therefore, the study was carried out to find out morbidity pattern of psychiatric diseases and prescribing trends of psychotropic drugs. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in psychiatry out-patient department of a tertiary care hospital for 3 months. Diagnosis was made according to ICD-10 criteria. Prescription pattern was analyzed using World Health Organization (WHO) drug indicators. Results: Of 520 patients analyzed, 52.31% were males and 47.69% were females, 72.31% were <45 years. Depression 42.88%, schizophrenia 23.08%, bipolar mood disorders 17.88%, and anxiety 9.04% accounted for 92.88% of cases. Among the total of 1092 psychotropic drugs prescribed, 1056 (96.7%) were oral formulations. Average number of psychotropic drugs per prescription was 2.1 ± 0.8. 20.58% of the prescriptions contained fixed dose combinations. About 28.75% drugs were prescribed by generic name. Utilization from the WHO and National essential medical list were 28.57% and 38.64%, respectively. The prescribing frequency of anxiolytics, anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, anti-cholinergics, and anti-mania drugs was 30.04% (328/1092), 25.46% (278/1092), 25.37% (277/1092), 11.54% (126/1092), and 7.6% (83/1092), respectively. Clonazepam, olanzapine, escitalopram, carbamazepine and trihexyphenidyl were the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines (BZD), antipsychotic, antidepressants, mood stabilizer and anti-cholinergics, respectively. Conclusion: Utilization pattern of the psychotropic drugs were in accordance to the recommendations of various treatment guidelines. BZD were the most commonly prescribed psychotropic drugs.