Binu KM

ABSTRACTMedication adherence is a crucial component in the treatment of chronic diseases. In the elderly, clinicians are faced with a unique set of problems associated with adherence that they may not have been adequately trained for. The present study was designed to assess the socio-demographic profile, adherence and drug-related problems among elderly. Methods: An observational study involving 30 patients aged over 60 years using at least five prescription drugs and discharged from hospital. The occurrence of adherence and DRP were  assessed by means of an identification tool specifically developed for use by community pharmacists, including a semi structured patient interview and a checklist of common DRP. Results: Out of 30 study subjects, it was observed that majority of the study subjects had drug related problems. High, moderate and low adherence to medication was found. Conclusion: It is evident that there is a great need on the part of health care providers to not only prescribe medications to the patients but also make a conscious effort to address the issue of non-adherence to the prescribed medications and other non-pharmacological measures. Keywords: Morisky, Drug compliance, elderly, habits, medications

ABSTRACTTo investigate the knowledge of breast cancer among medical, paramedical and general population of women participants. A prospective observational questionnaire survey was carried out in a tertiary care teaching hospital in northern Karnataka for a period of six months with220 participants. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used. Data obtained was analysed using descriptive statistics. Out of 220 women, 31.36% were medical, 20.92% paramedical and 47.72% general. Almost, 94.20% of medical participants believed breast cancer as inherited. Notably, general group considered trauma(74.28%) and diet (73.33%) as major risk factors. Majority of medical and paramedical women thought lump in the breast as the initial sign of Breast Cancer. Awareness regarding mammography and biopsy in general population was 64.76% and 52.38% respectively. Moreover, 95.5% of medical women and all of the paramedical women thought that chemical / radiotherapy was the best treatment. Breast cancer knowledge and awareness was less among the general women. There is a need of developing effective interventional programs to educate women about breast cancer.Keywords: Awareness, Breast Cancer, Knowledge, Risk factors.

The aim of the study was to detect, document, assess and report the suspected adverse drug reactions.  A prospective-observational study on adverse drug reactions was conducted in a 1000 bedded multi-specialty hospital. Suspected ADRs were analyzed for causality, severity and preventability using appropriate validated scales. A total of 65 ADRs were identified in 2280 admissions during the study period. Severity of the suspected ADRs assessed using Modified Hartwig and Siegel Scale. The study revealed that 2(1.6%) suspected ADRs were severe, 5(8%) ADRs were moderate and 58(90.4%) ADRs were mild in severity. Causality assessment was done by using WHO and Naranjo scale. The assessment by Naranjo scale showed that 16 (24.8%) ADRs were possibly drug-related, whereas 43(65.6%) were classified as probably and 6(9.6%) ADRs were definitely related to the drug, while the assessment done by using WHO scale revealed that 16(24.8%) ADRs were possibly drug-related,18 (27.2%) ADRs were probably drug-related, whereas 7(9.6%) were classified as certainly related to drug. Nine patients (13.8%) were admitted due to an Adverse. Preventability of suspected ADRs assessed by using Modified Schumock and Thornton scale, revealed that 17(26%) ADRs were definitely preventable while 1 (2%) ADRs were probably preventable and 47(72%)of the drug reactions were not preventable. Intervention was required in all ADRs as it indirectly contributed to affect the patient’s Quality Of Life. Our ability to anticipate and prevent such ADRs can be facilitated by the establishment of standardized approaches and active reporting of suspected ADRs.

Rational drug use in pregnancy requires the benefits and potential risk associated with the use of the drug. The adverse effect of drugs on the fetus varies temporarily with time. The study was conducted in the Navodaya Medical College Hospital & Research Center, Raichur for the period of six months. The case files of patients who were admitted in department of OBG were reviewed. The main objective of study was to assess the medicines prescribed to pregnant women during antenatal care, childbirth and lactation at a teaching care hospital. The total numbers of the patients enrolled in the study were 412 out of that 52.45% were in the range of 21-25 years, 71.31% patients were admitted third trimesters of pregnancy, 51.21% were multi- gravida. Common complaints of patients showed that anemia 23.8% and pregnancy induced hypertension (17.8%). Antibiotics (26.10%) were the most prescribed. In category A the maximum number of drugs prescribed in first trimester (41.83%).The study shows considerable medication use during pregnancy, child birth and lactation. Our study suggested that medicine use during pregnancy and lactation should be monitored regularly by analyzing prescription data.