Drug Use Pattern In POAG & Assessment Of QOL Using Glaucoma Specific Questionnaires

Abstract

Introduction: POAG is a chronic disease which affects the quality of life. There is a direct need to analyze the drug utilization pattern of glaucoma in a developing country like India. The main goal of treatment in patients of glaucoma is to improve clinical outcomes thereby improving the patient’s QOL. Objective: To study the drug use pattern in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma and to evaluate quality of life using Glaucoma Quality of Life 15 (GQL-15) Questionnaire and the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEIVFQ-25). Methods: Prospective cross sectional study was carried out for 8 weeks. Written Informed Consent, IEC permission was taken before hand. Patients of either gender with POAG on medical therapy for at least a month were included in the study. The data was recorded in a case record form containing patient's demographic details, diagnosis and the complete prescription. Quality of life assessment was done using the interviewer-administered format of the NEIVFQ-25 and the GQL-15 questionnaires. Result: A total of 300 patients were enrolled, male: female ratio was 1.52:1. POAG was found to be more prevalent in age group of 61-70(30.6%). Total number of drugs prescribed were 494(mean=1.6). Most common drug used was Timolol (60%), followed by Travoprost (12.75%). Brimonidine and Timolol was the most common drug combination used. In our study mean score of QOL was 30.08. In GQL-15, 37% of respondents showed impaired QOL in reading newspaper. In the NEIVFQ-25 more than two third of the population were worried about their eyesight and around half of the population reported impaired vision even with the use of glasses or contact lenses. Conclusion: Timolol was the most frequently used drug for POAG.