Drug Prescription Patterns for Bronchial Asthma in a Tertiary Level Hospital in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. The prevalence of asthma increased steadily over the latter part of last century.

Objectives: To evaluate drug prescription pattern for bronchial asthma in a Tertiary Level Hospital. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional, observational study conducted in the department of Pharmacology, Mymensingh Medical College, in collaboration with the departments of Respiratory Medicine and Medicine out-patient departments in Mymensingh Medical College and Hospital, Mymensingh.

Results: A total of 160 patients were selected non-randomly for the study. Age distribution indicates that majority (76, 47.5%) of patients were in the 28-37 years age group, followed by 18-27 years (44, 27.5%). Out of the 160 patients, 139 (86.88%) were treated with combination therapy and 21 (13.12%) were treated with monotherapy. Most of the patients (140, 87.5 %) used Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) therapy and the mostly used combination (131, 93.57%) was Salmeterol and Fluticasone. Combination of Salbutamol and Ipratropium bromide was used in only 9 (6.43%) cases as FDC therapy. Routes of administration of the anti-asthmatic drugs were inhalation and oral- of which the major route was inhalation (245/468 doses, 52.35%) and the other was 223 (47.64%).

Conclusion: Majority of patients were treated with combination therapy. Mostly used FDC therapy was combination of Salmeterol and Fluticasone.

J Monno Med Coll June 2022;8(1): 3-5