Assessment of Prescribing Pattern and Drug-Related Problems in Patients of Chronic Kidney Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant health concern in India, with a prevalence of 17.2%.The increasing incidence of hypertension and diabetes contributes to the rising CKD cases.Early treatment focuses on managing underlying conditions, but as CKD progresses, patients often require multiple medications, leading to high treatment costs and potential drug-related problems (DRPs). Objective:The study aims to investigate prescribing patterns and identify DRPs among CKD patients in India. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pharmacology, IGIMS, Patna, involving in-patients diagnosed with CKD.Data were collected through routine ward rounds and patient records, focusing on prescribing patterns and DRPs classified using the PCNE system.Descriptive statistics were employed for analysis.Results: Out of 557 monitored patients, 203 (36.44%) experienced at least one DRP.The majority were males aged 41-60 years, with hypertension (89.66%) and diabetes (29.56%) as the most common comorbidities.Most patients were prescribed more than five drugs (91.13%), with antihypertensives being the most frequently prescribed class.A total of 428 DRPs were identified, with drug interactions (60.05%) being the most prevalent issue. Conclusion:Polypharmacy is common among CKD patients, with antihypertensives being the most prescribed.DRPs, particularly drug interactions and frequency errors, are prevalent and require careful management.The integration of clinical pharmacologists and pharmacists into patient care teams is essential for addressing these challenges and enhancing patient outcomes.