EVALUATION OF CORTICOSTEROID UTILIZATION PATTERN IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, DEHRADUN.

Background: Corticosteroids are widely used as potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs to treat a wide range of diseases. This study evaluates the rational use of corticosteroid amongst hospitalized patients. Objectives: To investigate the utilization and evaluation pattern of corticosteroids in various department of tertiary care hospital. Methodology: A prospective observational study was conducted on 90 patients receiving corticosteroids in the various departments of ShriMahantIndiresh Hospital, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Patients receiving corticosteroid therapy were included in the study, exclusion of those patients who were of age less than 18, patients with psychiatric disease and those patients not willing to sign on inform consent form. Result: The study involved 90 patients to evaluate the appropriate use of corticosteroids. Majority of patients were of age group >60 years, followed by 41-50 years, 51-60 years, 31-40 years, 18-30 years respectively. Majority of corticosteroids were prescribed to females than males. Prednisolone was the mostly used corticosteroid (34.40%) followed by hydrocortisone (18.9%), budesonide (14.4%), methylprednisolone (11.1%), dexamethasone (11.1%), deflazacort (5.6%) and prednisone (4.4%). Total 16 ADRs were detected in the study. Total 24 drug interactions were found in 90 prescription, the majority of drug interactions were moderate 15 (62.50%) followed by major 5 (20.83%) and minor 4 (16.67%). Conclusion: There was lack of appropriate guidelines for use of corticosteroids and drug interaction reporting, which could be considered an emerging scope of pharmacy. Commonly geriatric population was more prone to diseases, for which steroids were used.