STUDY ON THE USE PATTERN OF NSAIDS IN SOME GENERAL AND SPECIALIZED HOSPITALS OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

This study was designed to assess the present use pattern of both traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (tNSAIDs) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2)- selective NSAIDs (coxibs) in terms of demographic characteristics, prevalence of use of NSAIDs type, gastro-protective drug use frequency among the patients of four general hospitals and another five specialized hospitals of Dhaka city. The study was conducted during 3 May to 18 May 2011. Total 480 patients were asked to answer the questions of the previously designed questionnaire covered with some closed ended dichotomous and multichotomous questions. Most prevalent age group of the patients was between 40-65years. Again, use of tNSAIDs was relatively higher than that of coxibs. Besides, among the NSAIDs, ketorolac tromethamine (a tNSAID) was the most frequently used drug (29.3%) in the general hospitals (GnH) whereas diclofenac sodium (a tNSAID) was common (58%) in the specialized hospitals (SpH) counterpart. Moreover, a significant number of patients did not use gastro-protective medication whenever taking NSAIDs. Most prevailing gastroprotectives were Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) and H2 receptor antagonist. Apart from these, another critical observation from this study was the lack of following proper indication related to medication specially for taking the gastroprotective drugs. In conclusion, it can be said that although in most cases, the use pattern of NSAIDs is proper and justified but to avoid unwanted complications and misuse of the drugs, both physicians as well as drug users need to be more aware.