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

Background: Skin diseases amounts for a large fraction of patients attending the outpatient of dermatology and topical corticosteroids (TCS) are being commonly prescribed, the 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 pattern 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. The patients with skin diseases who were prescribed TCS were included. The data was collected by direct observation in a specially designed proforma containing relevant detail such as demography, skin conditions and drug used. The data were analyzed as counts and percentages. Result: Majority of the patients were under the age of less than 20 years (38%) followed by those between the age of 21 years to 40 years (36%). .Female patients (61%) were more and 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 with fusidic acid, gentamicin and salicylic acid. Average drug per prescription was 2.09. None of the prescriptions used generic names. Conclusion: Prescription pattern provides critical feedback to prescribing physician by focusing on rationalizing drug therapy. FDC of TCS with gentamicin, salicylic acid and fusidic acids are rational and approved by CDSCO.