RESUMEN
Introduction: Glaucoma is an idiopathic, progressive optic disc neuropathy complicating into irreversible blindness if untreated. Early diagnosis by screening cases from high-risk populations has a pivotal role in managing this major public health problem with high treatment expenditures. Objectives: To identify the various ocular and non ocular risk factors of glaucoma and to identify the drug prescription pattern among glaucoma patients. Method: This was an observational, case-control study including 165 adult Glaucoma patients on treatment as cases and 165 age and sex-matched healthy individuals as controls, all of which were randomly selected from the patients visiting a tertiary eye care center. Various risk factors, drug prescription pattern and symptoms of the patients were recorded and analyzed. Results: A total of 165 adult Glaucoma patients and age and gender matched 165 controls were enrolled. Majority of the patients (41.21%) complained of blurring of vision at the time of study. The Odds ratios for Family history, Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, Migraine, Sleep apnea and Smoking showed strong association as risk factors for Glaucoma and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (p value < 0.05). The mean number of drugs per prescription ± SD was 1.88 ± 0.79. Fixed drug formulations were prescribed in 42.4% patients. All the drugs were prescribed by their brand names and majority of them were in the form of eye drops. Conclusion: Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) was the most common subtype in the study. Age, Family history, Myopia, Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, Sleep Apnea, Migraine, Corticosteroid usage and Smoking emerged as putative risk factors. In consistence with present guidelines, Prostaglandin analogs were the most prescribed antiglaucoma drugs. The considerable proportion of asymptomatic cases (23%) suggests the need for periodic eye examinations to detect glaucomatous changes at an early stage.
RESUMEN
Introduction: The increasing prevalence of hypertension isattributed to population growth, ageing and behavioural riskfactors, such as unhealthy diet, harmful use of alcohol, lackof physical activity, excess weight and exposure to persistentstress. The present study was conducted to study on variousfacets of antihypertensive drugs prescribing at present scenarioat Dr B.C. Roy Hospital, Haldia, and with objectives of studyingprescribing patterns and rationality of antihypertensive drugsin essential hypertension with or without specific co-morbidconditions and to check compliance of treatment as per JNC-8hypertension treatment guidelines in the outpatients attendingthe Department of Medicine.Material and Methods: Data regarding anti-HTN monotherapy and combination therapy was recorded. Evaluation forrational drug therapy by evaluating average number of drugsper prescription, fixed dose combination (FDC) prescriptionrate, prescription laying down importance of lifestylemanagement, prescription with defined anti-HTN goals,prescriptions with correct dose strength and dosage schedulewas evaluated.Results: Out of 100 hypertensive patients under evaluation 67was males (67%) with a M:F ratio of 2.03:1. Mean SBP wasslightly higher in male patients. Hypertension was classifiedaccording to JNC-8 guidelines and found 22 (22%) (Prehypertension/pre-HTN), 57 (57%) (Stage 1 hypertension),and 13% (stage 2 hypertension) cases. Dyslipidemia wasnoted much more common associated disorders among newlydiagnosed hypertensive of either sex.Conclusion: Diuretics (8%) were most widely prescribeddrugs followed by ARBs (6%), ACE Inhibitors (5%) andcalcium channel blockers (4%) as monotherapy. Adherence ofJNC 8 guidelines among all study hypertensive participantswhile prescribing medications varied between 62% to 92%,with an average of 75%. None of the prescriptions mentionedban drug formulation(s). Still 15% of the prescriptionshad suggested combined drugs with debated rationalityformulations.