Bincy. T. Abraham

Anaemia is a common disorder in older individuals. The prevalence of anaemia increases with age to over >20% in persons aged 65 years and over1. The aim of the present study was to analyse the prevalence rate of anaemia, and evaluate the various underlying causes, the haematological profile and types of anaemia in elder patients. A total of 82 subjects of age 65yrs and above were included in our study. Laboratory profiles along with various clinical conditions were collected to analyse the underlying cause. Majority of patients had Mild anaemia with a normocytic sub categorization. Pallor was the most common symptom, found in our study. The various underlying causes found were fever, renal problem, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, COPD, tuberculosis, etc. Identifying anaemia as an important aspect of a -comprehensive geriatric assessment is absolutely essential further to clinical detection. Confirming the type of anaemia is critical to direct the investigation for profiling the etiology since it is well known that the treatment of anaemia goes a long way in improving the overall outcome and quality of life.

NSAIDs remains as a major choice for analgesis (pain-killing), antipyretic (fever-reducing) and in higher doses as an anti-inflammatory  agent in orthopaedics. The objective of the present study was to conduct a prospective observational study to collect data’s of patients those who were admitted in orthopedic department and thereby have assessment on the usage of NSAIDs and gastroprotective agents. A total of 68 subjects were included in the study, 57.35% (n=39) were male and 42.6% (n=29) were female. Maximum number of patients who received NSAIDs were in age group of 41-50 i.e.,26.4% (n=18), followed by 20.50% (n=14) 31-40 age group and 16.1% (n=11) were in between 51-60 age group. Only 8.8% (n=6) of patients were above 70 years of age and prescribed with NSAIDs. NSAIDs were mainly prescribed as the supportive treatment of fracture 41.1% (n=28) followed by Spondylosis 26.4% (n=18), Osteoarthritis 13.2% (n=9) and Joint dislocation 11.7% (n=8) etc. Diclofenac 75% (n=51) was found to be the commonly prescribed NSAIDs followed by Piroxicam 16.1% (n=11), whereas the least prescribed NSAIDs was found to be Etoxicoxib 2.9% (n=2). The result revealed that 51.4% (n=35) of the patients underwent Dual therapy followed by 48.5% (n=33) with Monotherapy. In this study 76.4% (n=52) patients were prescribed with Parenteral NSAIDs whereas, 23.5% (n=16) patients with oral route of NSAIDs and 5.8% (n=4) with topical NSAIDs. Around 89.7 %(n=61)of patients were co-prescribed with gastroprotective agents (GPA). Pantoprazole and Rabeprazole were the most frequently prescribed GPA which were accounted by 38.2% (n=26) followed by Ranitidine 10.2% (n=7).67.2% (n=41) were administered in oral route followed by 32.7% (n=20) parent rally38.2% (n=26).