Prescription Trend of Topical Corticosteroids in Outpatient of Dermatology in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Tumakuru, Karnataka

Background: Skin diseases amount to a large fraction of patients attending the outpatient department of dermatology, and topical corticosteroids (TCS) are commonly prescribed. Data related to drug usage patterns of TCS in skin conditions are particularly lacking. Hence, it is vital to study the drug prescribing patterns of TCS in skin diseases. Objective: To study the demographic details and drug prescription patterns of TCS in patients with skin diseases. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in the Dermatology Department, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, over a period of 2 months. Patients with skin diseases who were prescribed TCS were included. The data was collected by direct observation in a specially designed proforma containing relevant details such as demography, skin conditions, and drugs used. The data were analyzed as counts and percentages. Result: The majority of the patients were under the age of 20 years (38%), followed by those between the ages of 21 years to 40 years (36%). Female patients (61%) were more common, and the majority were from rural areas (69%). Clobetasol propionate (46%), mometasone furoate (15%), and betamethasone dipropionate (12%) were the commonly prescribed TCS. Fixed dose combinations (FDC) of TCS were commonly used with fusidic acid, gentamicin, and salicylic acid. The average drug per prescription was 2.09. None of the prescriptions used generic names. Conclusion: Prescription patterns provide critical feedback to prescribing physicians by focusing on rationalizing drug therapy. FDC of TCS with gentamicin, salicylic acid, and fusidic acids are rational and approved by CDSCO.

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