Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology

P. Maheshwari ¹, B. Deepika ¹, T. S. Shanmugarajan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vels University (VISTAS) Pallavaram, Chennai-600117, Tamilnadu, IN

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Menopause is defined retrospectively as the time of the final menstrual period, followed by 12 months of amenorrhea. Menopause is caused by the aging of ovaries leading to a decline in the production of ovarian gonadotropins oestrogen and progesterone.The deficiency of these hormones elicits various somatic, vasomotor, sexual, and psychological symptoms that impair the overall quality of life (QoL) of women. Hence the study was done to assess the effect of postmenopausal symptoms and their impact on women's quality of life. METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional study was done for the duration of six months in Employee State Insurance Corporation Hospital. The data such as the socio-demographic information and the menstruation status and the experience of the symptoms, as were tested in the Menopause Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire, were collected from each patient. The women who were included in the study were divided into two groups as the early postmenopausal and the late postmenopausal groups. All statistical analyses were carried out using Graph Pad Prism 7.1. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients met the inclusion criteria.Among the patients psychosocial symptoms were more prominent among early menopausal women when compared to late menopausal women .The vasomotor symptoms(72%),psychosocial symptoms(39.5%)physical symptoms(50.5%),sexual symptoms(26%) were prevalent and showed significance in both groups of post-menopausal women. CONCLUSION : The age of the postmenopausal women was not proportional to any symptomatic changes to women. Among categorized symptoms of postmenopausal women in MENQOL Questionnaire, physical symptoms (low back ache, joint pain etc.,) vasomotor symptoms (eg hot flushes etc.,), psychosocial (poor memory etc.,) were prevalent and shown to have negative effect on quality life of the post-menopausal women.

Keywords

Post Menopause, Quality of Life, Menopause, Early Post-Menopause, Late Post-Menopause.

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P. Maheshwari ¹, Rani Mohan ¹, T. S. Shanmugarajan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vels University (VISTAS) Pallavaram, Chennai-600117, Tamilnadu, IN

Abstract

OBJEVTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess health information seeking behavior and knowledge among patients thereby enhancing patient compliance and awareness. METHODOLOGY: This study which includes the prospective study with the total of 101 patients diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism were included in the study. A detailed questionnaire was prepared to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices in patients who have been previously diagnosed to have thyroid disorders and who are on treatment. The patients were interviewed in their language using a validated questionnaire. Statistical analysis was assessed using mean, standard deviation and t-test.

RESULTS: A total of 101 female patients were enrolled in this study 91 patients were diagnosed hypothyroidism, 10 patients were diagnosed hyperthyroidism. which the age groups were in a range of above 20. High prevalence was observed in an age group of 50-60, patients 26 (28.50%) for hypothyroidism. High prevalence was observed in the age group of 50-60, patients 4 (40%) for hyperthyroidism. The study revealed that about 79.2% of the patients diagnosed with thyroid disorder had other comorbid conditions. CONCLUSION: General awareness about thyroid disease is poor with more than half of the population having incorrect knowledge, beliefs and practices. The understanding level of the patients towards thyroid disorder was improved after counselling (patient education) when compared to the assessment taken before counselling . The health care Professionals should focus not only on medication and dose adjustment but also on patient education. This study suggests that a good knowledge and awareness towards the condition increases the patient compliance towards medications and regular follow up.

Keywords

Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism.

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P. Maheshwari ¹, D. Pavithra ¹, T. T. Neethu ¹, T. S. Shanmugarajan ¹, P. Shanmugasundaram ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vels University (VISTAS), Chennai-600117, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Aim and Objectives: The main aim of the study is to compare the levels of anxiety and depression, psychological distress between persons with diabetes with a history of foot ulcer, persons without history of foot ulcer and persons without diabetes. Materials and Methods: This study which includes prospective study. The study was done in a five different general medicine department and were carried out for a period of 6 months on both in-patient and out-patients in general medicine department. Chi-square is used to differeniate the incidence of anxiey and depression between patients with diabetic foot ulcer and diabetes without foot ulcer. Result and Discussion: A total of 90 patients were screened. Out of selected 90 patients, the age of 20-29 years 5(6%) were males and females, in the age of 30-39 years 14(15%), in the age of 40-49 years 24(27%), in the age of above 50-59 years 45(50%) and in the age of 60 years 2(2%%) were found. Conclusion: In this study the Abnormal anxiety and depression levels are more in diabetic foot ulcer when compared to those with diabetes.There was significant association found between diabetes, diabetic foot ulcer and psychological distress.

Keywords

Hads-A, Hads-D.

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P. Maheshwari ¹, T. S. Shanmugarajan ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, VISTAS, Pallavaram, Chennai-600117, Tamilnadu, IN

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the prescribing patterns of metformin in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus and determine whether they are in accordance with published contraindications and precautions. Methods: Medical records of patients admitted with type-2 diabetes mellitus, who received at least one dose of metformin were identified and enrolled into the study. Patient demographic, clinical and biochemical data pertaining to diabetes and its risk factors were collected and documented. Prescribing patterns of metformin in these patients wereevaluated using the drug chart. All the prescriptions were checked for its accordance with published contraindications and precautions. Prescriptions in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus were compared to the standard prescribing guidelines as per American Diabetes Association to analyse its compliance with recommended guidelines to determine whether metformin was prescribed to patients possessing any of the risk factors associated with development of lactic acidosis. Results: Metformin was used as the first line therapy in 138 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, either as mono-therapy or at some instances in combination with other oral hypoglycaemic agents or insulin. About 56 patients were found to have either one or more absolute contraindications and 113 patients had precautionary conditions, despite which the therapy was continued in about 89.13% of the patients. Conclusion: The prescribing contraindications of metformin were found to be high and hence it is necessary to create awareness regarding contraindications and precautionary conditions regarding metformin among physicians and other health care professionals so as to prevent the incidence ling tern adverse effects like lactic acidosis.

Keywords

Metformin, Diabetes Mellitus, Lactic Acidosis, Prescribing Practice, Prescribing Contraindications.

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P. Maheshwari ¹, T. S. Shanmugarajan ¹, P. Shanmugasundaram ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, VISTAS, Pallavaram, Chennai-600117, Tamilnadu, IN

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the Quality of Prescribing in Patients with Hypertension using Prescription Quality Index (PQI) Tool. Ensure the Rational Use of Anti-Hypertensive drugs. Methods: Prospective study of Anti-Hypertensive drugs should be conducted on 150 consecutive patients admitted in tertiary care Hospital. The duration of the study will be of 10 months. The prescriptions of the patient who are treated during the course of the study will be audited prospectively using a specially designed form to record the required information. Results: Total of 150 patients 86 were male and 64 were female.This study the age group who receive more Anti Hypertensive drugs are between 56-65 years(40%), In this study who are found with single comorbid condition is (41.3%), Multiple comorbid condition is (22.7%), In This study stages of Hypertension was validated, Pre Hypertensive (88%),Stage 1(57.3%),Stage 2 (34.7%). In This study different classes of drugs commonly used were Diuretics (72%).In the present study it was observed that the higher rates of (56.7%) received dual therapy for Hypertension than mono therapy (43.3%) and compared. Conclusion: Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are more effective in slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) than other antihypertensive regimens. The PQI is a comprehensive tool which is valid and reliable for measuring quality of prescribing in chronic disease like hypertension in Indian settings. PQI can be used for assessment and comparison of quality of prescribing in different clinical settings at different health care levels.

Keywords

Hypertension, Prescription, Quality Index.

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