Study on the prescription pattern of Oral Hypoglycemic Agents  in Type 2 Diabetes mellitus in the out patient department of a tertiary care hospital in chennai.

Dr.S.A.Sridevi; Dr M Ganesh

Volume : VI, Issue : III, March - 2016

Study on the prescription pattern of Oral Hypoglycemic Agents in Type 2 Diabetes mellitus in the out patient department of a tertiary care hospital in chennai.

Dr. S. A. Sridevi, Dr M Ganesh

Abstract :

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. The chronic hyperglycemia of diabetes is associated with long–term damage, dysfunction, and failure of various organs, especially the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels(1). Aim:This study was to evaluate the pattern of prescription of oral hypoglycemic agents(OHA) among the type 2 diabetic population in the out patient department. Method: The study was a prospective observational study. 180 Type 2 diabetic patients on oral hypoglycemic agents were observed for 12 weeks. Their socio demographic and the relevant clinical datas were evaluated and statistically analysed. Result: The number of OHAs per prescription varied from one to three and the average number of anti–diabetic drugs per prescription was 1.8. In this,69(39%) patients were on insulin and 111(61%) patients were on OHAs. OHA’s were the commonest of anti–diabetic drugs prescribed in this study. Sulfonylureas (36%) were the most commonly prescribed class followed by biguanides (32.5%) Conclusion: This study shows that the pattern of antidiabetic prescription among type 2 diabetic patients was rational and largely consistent with NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) guidelines .The study shows the importance of utilization of two drug combination therapies and monotherapy of OHA.