Publication: Drug information needs of physicians treating diabetic nephropathy in a tertiary care hospital
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Date
2008
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
Abstract
Objective: Diabetic Nephropathy is a leading cause of end stage renal disease. Doctors often have questions during
patient care when they are advised to seek the best available evidence. Rational drug use demands access to
unbiased drug information. This study was conducted to delineate and analyse the patient-specific drug information
needs of physicians treating diabetic nephropathy in Nephrology ward of a south Indian tertiary care hospital.
Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted in the Department of Nephrology in St John’s Medical
College, Bangalore from 1st October 2003 to 31st
Results: Out of 102 patients included in the study, physicians had queries on 66% of patients. The total number of
queries was 80. The average number of queries per nephrologist was 9 and those per physician were 10. Queries on
adverse drug reactions and drug interactions exceeded (31%) others. Queries on anti-hypertensive drugs were the
maximum (33%) followed by antimicrobials (12.5%). About 93% of queries were answered. Tertiary sources (51%)
were the most commonly used drug information sources. The mean time to find the answer to a query was about 30
minutes.
March 2004. The relevant data regarding patient- specific queries
of physicians on drug information were collected by joining physicians on clinical rounds and analysed.
Conclusion: Physicians treating DN are in need of drug information services, especially on adverse drug reactions
and drug interactions during in-patient care. The majority of queries of physicians treating diabetic nephropathy can
be answered by referring authentic drug information sources.
Key words: Drug information, diabetic nephropathy, hypertension, adverse drug reactions
Description
Devi P1, George J2
1Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, St John’s Medical College, Bangalore, India,
2Professor, Department of Pharmacology, KVG Medical College, Sullia, India