Drug Usage Pattern in Chronic Kidney Disease patients undergoing maintenance Hemodialysis

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease is defined as either kidney damage or GFR less than 60ml/min/1.73m2 for more than 3 months. It is usually associated with increasing age, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and lack of physical exercise. Prescription pattern studies can help increase our understanding of how drugs are being used as well as help in estimating the number of patients exposed to specific drugs within a given time period. Identification of the complications that arise during hemodialysis and its management is essential for improving the quality of life of patients. Objectives: To evaluate the drug use pattern of chronic kidney disease patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. It also aims to identify the complications that arise during hemodialysis and its management Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out for duration of 6 months on 80 patients undergoing hemodialysis in the nephrology department. From the patients’ records, the relevant data on drugs prescriptions for each patient was collected. The patient demographics, associated comorbidities, risk factors identified for developing chronic kidney disease and was also collected from the medical records. The complications that arose during the sessions and its management were collected from the patients dialysis file. Results: Among 80 patients, 62 (77.5%) were males and 18 (22.5%) were females. Hypertension (93.75%), anemia (87.5%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (41.45%) were the most common comorbidities. Antihypertensives (30.1%) were the most prescribed drugs, followed by hematopoietics (23.6%), phosphate binders (13.1%) and Gastro Intestinal Tract agents (10%). The complications that arose during the dialysis were hypotension (18%), vomiting (18%), hypertension (14%), cramps (13%) and chills (11%). The complications were appropriately managed. Conclusion: In the study, the prescribing trends in managing CKD patients who were on maintenance hemodialysis was evaluated. Drug utilisation studies are effective in showing the trend in prescribing according to various physician. Although hemodialysis is a lifesaving therapy for CKD patients, it was seen that several complications can arise during the sessions and proper measures were taken to manage the same.