An observational study on utilization, safety and efficacy of corticosteroids in otorhinolaryngology and pulmonary medicine patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Introduction. Corticosteroids, commonly referred to as steroids, are anti-inflammatory medications primarily utilized to decrease inflammation and suppress the immune system. Drug utilization plays an important role in medical practice for providing rationality in prescribing medications. Objectives. To evaluate the utilization and efficacy of corticosteroids in patients and to assess the prescribing pattern, demographics, and clinical variables such as drug interaction, and adverse drug reactions associated with corticosteroid administration. Methodology. A prospective Cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital for a period of 6 months. The sample size of the study was 255 (125-pulmonary medicine and 130-ENT). The study obtained ethical approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee at Bapuji Pharmacy College in Davangere. Data were collected from the subjects who participated in the survey who met inclusion criteria. Results. The study included 255 participants in total, 147 of whom were male and 108 of whom were female and had been prescribed with corticosteroids. Most of the patients were in the 61–70 age range. The most often recommended form of treatment for the individuals was monotherapy. The most administered corticosteroids for the patients were Hydrocortisone. Patients are prescribed Mometasone as a corticosteroid with the least frequency. To provide corticosteroids most preferred route of administration was parenteral. A combination of Dexamethasone and Beclomethasone was commonly administered in dual therapy. Formoterol plus budesonide was commonly used in conjunction with bronchodilators. Headache and weight gain were the most frequent side effects of using corticosteroids. Patients in pulmonary medicine are typically prescribed hydrocortisone and budesonide as corticosteroids. Conclusion. According to this study, the majority of patients responded well to corticosteroid treatment. Most patients found corticosteroids to be safe, while some experienced adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Adverse effects were reported in pulmonary instances, however no adverse effects were observed in ENT patients.