Study on Prescribing Pattern among the Outpatients with Eczema in the Dermatology Department of a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: Eczema is a chronic, usual, non-infective inflammatory state characterized by intense pruritis, redness, and swelling. Eczema patients experience mild to severe systemic symptoms such as itching, pain, and sleep disturbances, resulting in a significantly diminished quality of life.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted for six months to study the prescribing pattern of various drugs in eczema patients in the outpatient department of dermatology. 86 anti-eczema prescriptions were analyzed. Factors considered were age, gender, types of diagnosis, site of the disease, and anti-eczema drugs prescribed.Results: Out of 86 patients, females (53.5%) were more than males (46.5%). The majority of the patients (44.18%) belonged to the age group 21 to 40 years and allergic contact dermatitis was the most common (39.53%) and most commonly affected was lower limb (43.02%). Most drugs prescribed were topical agents (60.38%) when compared to oral drugs (39.62%). Antihistamines (37.68%) were found to be the most commonly prescribed medication class. Levocetirizine (25.60%) was the most common drug prescribed in this study. Most of the prescriptions contained at least two drugs (61.63%).Conclusion: A clinical pharmacist can help improve a patient’s quality of life by assisting with prescription analysis and prescribing patterns. Studies can assist in providing feedback to physicians on current prescribing practices.

Keywords: Prescribing pattern; Anti-eczema drugs; Levocetirizine; Eczema; Dermatology