Rajesh Kalavara Pallathodiyi
BACKGROUND With exponentially higher number of patients being diagnosed with diabetes in India, it has gained an epidemic status here.1,2 Globally, the prevalence of diabetes in 2030 is expected to be almost double that in 2000 with the major contribution being from India, nearly 79.4 million.3,4 The potential burden that diabetes may impose upon India is highly disturbing. It is important to study the factors currently affecting diabetes in India that are making this potential health burden so extreme and to bring about changes. Drug usage studies help to identify the treatment adherence problems and improve proper drug usage. Aim- The aim of this study was to evaluate the usage pattern of anti-diabetic drugs in Type II DM patients in a rural population in Kerala. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective observational study was carried out at a tertiary care teaching hospital for a period of 9 months. 1113 patients were screened from which 69 Type II DM patients were included and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data and analysis was done. Patients aged 20 to 80 yrs. who were already following life style modification and diet advice were included in the study. RESULTS The prevalence was about 6.19% and 68.11% of them were 40-60 years of age. Metformin was the most commonly prescribed drug and 21.74% of patients were on monotherapy. Glimepiride and Metformin (33.33%) was the mostly used oral combination followed by Glibenclamide and Metformin (8.69%). Inj. Human Mix insulin with Metformin was used in 27.53%. 15.94% of patients were on statins. The most common comorbid condition was hypertension (21.73%) followed by dyslipidaemia (8.6%). CONCLUSION Both oral hypoglycaemic drugs and insulin were used for proper control of diabetes. Metformin was the most commonly used drug. Statins and low dose ACE inhibitors were used to minimize the complications of DM.
