Assessment of Drug Utilization Pattern and Rational Use of Antihypertensive Therapy in Geriatric Patients: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Hypertension is one of the most frequently occurring noncommunicable diseases, and it causes a variety of cardiovascular complications and mortality. Diagnosis and treatment in elderly patients are very difficult due to their changes in physiology and physiological responses to the therapy. Drug utilization studies are plausible instrument in the evaluation in health care practice. Objective: To assess drug utilization pattern and rational use of antihypertensive therapy in geriatric patients. Materials and methods:  This is a prospective observational study that took place in 200 inpatients over the course of six months. The study includes subjects with age group of 65 years and above with all comorbidities. The collected data was statistically evaluated by appropriate descriptive statistical analysis. Here the prescription pattern and rationality were analysed. Results: In this study out of 200 patients, 53% of prescriptions contain combination therapy and remaining 47% contains mono therapy. Most commonly prescribed class as mono therapy was Calcium channel blockers 79. 00% (Amlodipine). Among two drug regimen Calcium channel blockers + Diuretics and the three-drug regimen Calcium channel blockers + Angiotensin Receptor Blocker + Diuretic combination are generally prescribed. Here the overall rate of adherence to JNC 8 is 95%. Conclusion:  In this study by analysing prescription pattern, we concluded that most commonly prescribed drug class was Calcium channel blockers (Amlodipine). The present study results demonstrate that, most of the physicians are adherent to the JNC 8 recommendations. Keywords: Antihypertensive drugs, Adherence to JNC 8, Rational use, Prescription patterns