Drug Utilization Review on Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the drug utilization review on rheumatoid arthritis in a multispecialty hospital. A prospective study was carried out at Vivekanandha Medical Care Hospital, Tiruchengode. The study was conducted for 6 months. 73 prescriptions of rheumatoid arthritis were analyzed.  It was done in the patients who were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The patient details and prescriptions were analyzed, and it was attached to the data analysis form. Microsoft excel 2019 was used to analyze the data. In this Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (21.28%) were widely prescribed along with Disease Modified Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (14.28%) and with Steroids Methylprednisolone (12.04%). The major co-morbidity of rheumatoid arthritis was Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular disease. The age of the population was between 21-80 years. The prevalence was higher in female than males. The prescribing trends in the pharmacological management of Rheumatoid Arthritis and its associated co-morbidities were analyzed. This study provides additional knowledge to the healthcare providers on the importance of rational use of drugs in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and helps to get a better understanding of reason trends in management. Overall helps in reduced duration of hospitality and reduced risk of infection associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis.