Prescribing patterns in the orthopedics outpatient department in GMC hospital, Ajman, United Arab Emirates

ABSTRACT

Information on the utilization patterns of drugs in the Orthopedics outpatient department [OPD] were lacking in Gulf Medical College Hospital [GMCH]. Hence, we aimed to investigate the prescribing patterns in the Orthopedics outpatient department [OPD] of GMCH. The study was a hospital based observational [record based] study carried out over one year period. The prescriptions of all new patients visiting the Orthopedic OPD of GMCH hospital were critically analyzed using a predetermined criterion. Prescriptions of 623 patients were randomly selected for analysis. The majority patients were South -East Asians or Arab males, aged between 26-35 years and had insurance coverage. The median number of drugs per prescription was 3 [range 5]. Low backache was the most common reason for attending the OPD. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] and muscle relaxants were the most commonly prescribed drug group. Fixed dose combinations accounted for around 17% of the prescriptions. All the drugs were prescribed by their brand names Absence of department name on the prescriptions were also observed. The prescribing pattern in the orthopedic outpatient department in GMC Hospital was generally rational. The most commonly prescribed drugs included were Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and fixed dose combinations were observed in many of the prescription