A Prospective Study on Prescription Pattern in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Pharmacoeconomics
• Clinical Pharmacy

Background:

• Irrational prescribing in COPD leads to resource wastage and health hazards.
• This study evaluated prescribing patterns and adherence to GOLD guidelines in 400 COPD outpatients.
• Parameters included patient demographics, disease severity, and prescribed medications.

Discussion:

• The inhalation route was most preferred (36.95%), followed by parenteral (34.34%) and enteral (28.71%).
• Most patients received fixed-dose combination therapies, with levocetirizine + montelukast being most common (77%).
• COPD severity distribution: 11 (Stage I), 146 (Stage II), 184 (Stage III), 59 (Stage IV).

Key Insights:

• Adherence to GOLD guidelines showed no significant impact on symptom prevalence, exacerbation rates, or lung function.
• Dyspnea severity (modified MRC scale) varied widely among patients.
• Male sex, asthma, and severe comorbidities (e.g., cerebrovascular insult) were associated with increased risk of frequent exacerbations.

Outlook:

• Further research is needed to understand the complex interplay between prescribing practices, guideline adherence, and patient outcomes in COPD.
• Investigating personalized treatment strategies based on risk factors may improve exacerbation management.
• Long-term studies could elucidate the economic impact of irrational prescribing versus guideline-adherent care in COPD.