A study on prescribing patterns in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Authors

  • Sajid Naseem Fazai Medical College Islamabad/
  • Ambreen Zahoor HBS Medical and Dental College Islamabad.
  • Zaidan Idrees Choudhary HBS Medical and Dental College Islamabad.
  • Tania Sultana HBS Medical and Dental College Islamabad.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29309/TPMJ/2021.28.07.6137

Keywords:

Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drugs, Prescribing Trends, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prescribing patterns and frequency of use of various drug classes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a teaching hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan. Study Design: Descriptive Cross Sectional study. Setting: Medical Outpatient Department of HBS General Hospital, Islamabad. Period: August 2018 to March 2019. Material & Methods: Patients of rheumatoid arthritis were included in the study using non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Socio-demographic details and medication history was collected on pre-designed proforma. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results: A total of 112 patients were included in the study.108 patients (96.4%) were using disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. The most prescribed medication in the patients was methotrexate (n=82, 73%). One disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs with a steroid was the preferred combination (n=32, 28%). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (21%) and steroids (20%) were the other major drug classes among the total medications prescribed. Only one patient included in the study was using biologics. Conclusion: Conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in combination with steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the preferred therapy in patients of Rheumatoid arthritis in local settings. Methotrexate is the most commonly used disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. The use of biological agents remains low as compared to the developed world owing to their high cost.

Author Biographies

Sajid Naseem, Fazai Medical College Islamabad/

MBBS, FRCP

Assistant Professor Rheumatology

Ambreen Zahoor, HBS Medical and Dental College Islamabad.

MBBS, FCPS

Assistant Professor Medicine

Zaidan Idrees Choudhary, HBS Medical and Dental College Islamabad.

MBBS, FCPS (Psychiatry)

Assistant Professor Psychiatry

Tania Sultana, HBS Medical and Dental College Islamabad.

MBBS, FCPS (Medicine), FCPS (Rheumatology)

Senior Registrar Rheumatology

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Published

2021-07-10