DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERN AND EFFICACY ANALYSIS OF DRUGS USED IN DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY BY NERVE CONDUCTION STUDY IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Rajesh M.*, Mohapatra S., Swain TR., Mallik AK.

ABSTRACT

Objective: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most common and distressing late complication of diabetes mellitus affecting nearly 50% of diabetic patients and treatment failure cases may develop foot ulcers and gangrene requiring amputation. DPN is responsible for 50% to 75% of non-traumatic amputations. Hence this study is aimed to assess the Drug utilization pattern in patients with DPN in a tertiary care hospital and compare the efficacy of drug used. Method: Data was collected in a preformed proforma and efficacy of the drugs used was assessed by Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) at 0 week and 12th week. Results were analysed statistically. Result: Pregabalin was prescribed to 66% patients, Gabapentin to 42% and Amitriptyline to 12%. In NCS, significant improvement was observed by Pregabalin at 12th week in both axonal and demyelinating type of neuropathy, unlike gabapentin and Amitriptyline. Conclusion: Pregabalin was the most frequently prescribed and more effective drug than gabapentin and Amitriptyline.

Keywords: Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy, Nerve conduction study, Efficacy.