Oct-Dec, 2011 - Indian Journal of Pharmacy Practice

Indian Journal of Pharmacy PracticeAssociation of Pharmaceutical Teachers of IndiaEvaluation of the Impact of a Therapeutic Management and Effect of PharmacistIntervention on Children with Asthma2 1 1 3Ramesh A , Satyanarayana V* , Rajani M , Rajani V1Department of Pharmacy Practice, Sri Venkateshwara College of Pharmacy, Hyderabad, A.P, India.2Vishnu Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Narsapur, Andhra Pradesh3Vel's College of Pharmacy, Chennai, T.NA B S T R A C TSubmitted: 16/10/2011Accepted: 9/11/2011Asthma is an inflammatory airways disease caused by a complex interaction between host susceptibility (genetics) and diverse environmental1factors. It is apparent from ongoing research that no single susceptibility gene confers a major risk for this disease . In a large number of cases, itcan be well managed. In addition to accurate diagnosis, appropriate therapy and control of environment factors, a good educational program isrequired which has not yet received due attention. Prompted by the fact that a large number of asthmatic children and their parents lack sufficient2knowledge about asthma . The aim of the present study was carried out to evaluate the impact of a therapeutic management and effect ofststpharmacist intervention on children with asthma. The study was conducted for a period of 6 months from 1 November 2010 to 31 April 2011.This study was conducted in the Gandhi general hospital, Hyderabad, Pediatric unit has five units distributed into two wards, each unitconsisting of 30 beds total of 150 beds, providing specialized health care service to all strata of people in A.P,India. This was a prospective andobservational study and was approved by IRB. A total of 100 patients were enrolled in the present study during the study period. Out of the 60(60%) were males and 40 (40%) were female patients. Total distribution of patients with respect to age group showed that highest number ofpatients was found in the age group of 1-3 years (40%) and least was found between 11-12 years age group (2%). During pre-intervention periodnumber of irrational prescribing reported was 161, but after intervention it was significantly reduced to 93.Keywords: Children, Asthma, Intervention, Pharmacotherapy.INTRODUCTIONAsthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways.Chronically inflamed airways are hyperresponsive, theybecome obstructed and limit the airflow (bybronchoconstriction, mucus plugs, and increasedinflammation) when airways are exposed to various risk3factors . With approximately 300 million persons currentlysuffering from asthma worldwide, this condition is one of the4, 5most common chronic diseases, especially in childhood .Asthma can be effectively treated and most patients canachieve good control of their disease. When asthma is undercontrol children can: avoid troublesome symptoms night andday, use little or no reliever medication, have productive,physically active lives, have normal lung function and avoidserious attacks. Asthma causes recurring episodes ofAddress for Correspondence:Satyanarayana V, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Sri VenkateshwaraCollege Of Pharmacy, Hyderabad, A.P, India.E-mail: rajanisvcp@gmail.comwheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing,particularly at night or in the early morning. Asthma attacks(or exacerbations) are episodic, but airway inflammation is6chronically present .Asthma is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortalitythroughout the world and there is evidence that its prevalencehas increased considerably over the past 20 years, especiallyin children. The prevalence of asthma symptoms in childrenvaries from 1 to more than 30 % in different populations and isincreasing in most countries, especially among young7children . Mean worldwide current wheeze prevalence ratesin the last 12 months range from 11.6% in 6-7 years agechildren to 13.7% in 13-14 years olds, according to Phase III8of the international study of asthma and allergies in children .In a large number of cases, it can be well managed. In additionto accurate of environmental factors, a good educationalprogram is required, which has not yet received due attention.Prompted by the fact that a large number of asthmatic children2and their parents lack sufficient knowledge about asthma .Indian Journal of Pharmacy Practice Volume 4 Issue 4 Oct - Dec, 2011 39