Informatics Publishing Limited

Vidya Alex ¹, Suja Abraham ², S. Smitha ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Pharmacy Practice, Krupanidhi College of Pharmacy, Bangalore, IN
2 Department of Pharmacy Practice, Aster Medicity, Kochi, IN
3 Department of Pharmacy Practice, Grace College of Pharmacy, Palakkad, IN

Abstract

Aim:To perform the prescription analysis of rheumatoid arthritis in tertiary care hospital.

METHODOLOGY: A prospective, observational study was conducted for a period of 6 months in Rheumatology out-patient department of Amrita institute of medical sciences, Kochi. The datawere collected from patient medication charts.

Results: 200 patients enrolled in our study, 82.5% were females with a mean age group of 52.6±10.136. In treatment all the patients were prescribed with DMARDs which is the main stay for the treatment of RA. Methotrexate was the most commonly prescribed DMARD (87.5%). Other DMARDs such as hydroxychloroquine (75.5%), sulphasalazine (50%) and leflunamide (25.5%) were also prescribed. NSAIDs and steroids were next treatment options. Frequently used NSAID was Etoricoxib (6.5%) and 2.5% of patients were prescribed with diclofenac gel. 37% of patients prescribed with steroids. Deflazacort was the commonly used corticosteroids. Other medicines such as folic acid, proton pump inhibitors, calcium supplements, ursodeoxycholic acid etc were also given to patients. 51.5% of patients were on PPI's. 44% of the study population was given calcium supplements. Majority of the patients were managed with combination therapy. Only 7.5% of patients were prescribed with 1 DMARD. In all the other cases patients were given 2 or 3 DMARDs. DMARDs were also given in combination with either steroid or NSAID or both of them. The combination of Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine was found to be the most frequently used combination.

Conclusion: The study concluded that DMARDs is the main stay for the treatment of RA in which Methotrexate was the most commonly prescribed DMARD. NSAIDs and steroids were next treatment options. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can control the disease and its progression.

Keywords

Rheumatoid arthritis, DMARDs, Prescription Analysis.

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Suja Abraham ¹, T. Balaji ¹, S. Renjith ¹

Affiliations
1 Civil Engineering Programme Office, ISRO Headquarters, Bangalore – 560094, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Objective: This paper illustrates the need for sustainable environment and various measures being implemented at ISRO, highlighting the investment and benefits derived out of such measures. Methods: ISRO being public organization is always committed towards environmental well-being. Some of the measures adopted in view of environmental sustainability are i) Use of Green building concepts, ii) Use of renewable energy, iii) Water conservation methods, iv) Recycling of wastes etc., Findings: Green buildings, though require an initial capital, helps in reducing the environmental impact and contributes in energy conservation by installation of occupancy sensors, VRV, IAQ, use of low-emitting materials etc., Water conservation initiatives provides an alternative source of water supply under the critical situation of short supply from water supply board and depleted yield of the bore wells. All these sustainable measures are practically installed and effectively used, which brings out many tangible and intangible benefits to the organization and surrounding environment. Improvements: As capital investment is less and benefits achieved are more, the above measures can be practiced in all kinds of buildings irrespective of their size and nature. Considering this, additional solar power plants, floating solar panels, harnessing wind energy, biogas plants are proposed to be implemented.

Keywords

ISRO, Rainwater Harvesting, Solar Power, Solid Waste, Sustainability, U-Value.

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