ASSESSMENT OF THE PRESCRIPTION PATTERN OF DRUGS USED IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE PATIENTS UNDERGOING HAEMODIALYSIS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

BACKGROOUND: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has emerged as a major public health hazard worldwide accounting for 98.02% increase in death over the last 27 years. All stages of CKD are associated with increased risks of cardiovascular morbidity, premature mortality, and/or decreased quality of life. The prevalence of CKD increases with age and will continue to rise, reflecting the growing elderly population. As the prevalence of CKD increases they are at a higher risk for progression into End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis to maintain the patients’ long term survival[1]. The availability and affordability of good quality medicines along with their rational use is crucial for effective management of any disease [2]. This study can illustrate the present scenario of CKD patients in a tertiary care hospital and the prescribing trends of physicians in managing these patients with comorbities and complications. It provides an outline for management strategies and will be influential in health care decision making.The objective of this study was to assess the prescription pattern of drugs used in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing haemodialysis in a tertiary care hospital in India. METHODOLOGY: This was a prospective observational study carried out with 135 chronic kidney disease patients undergoing haemodialysis in the Nephrology department of Muthoot Healthcare Pvt Ltd, Kozhencherry, for a period of 6 months .RESULTS : In our study, it was found that antihypertensives were most commonly prescribed class of drugs (16%) followed by other drugs. A total of 135 patients were included in this study in which 73% were males and 27% were females. Out of total prescribed drugs (1856), the most commonly prescribed were antihypertensive agents (16%), multivitamins (13%), hematinics (11%), diuretics (7.4%), erythropoietin stimulating agents (7.2%)