Prospective Observational Study of Prescription Pattern from Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major chronic metabolic disorder requiring long-term pharmacological management. Prescription-pattern studies help evaluate drug utilization and promote rational prescribing. This study assessed the prescribing pattern of antidiabetic medicines among diabetic outpatients.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted among diabetic patients attending an outpatient clinic in Vasudevanallur from June 2026 to September 2026. Patients aged above 20 years, irrespective of gender and comorbid status, were included. Demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, medical history, and prescribed medicines were recorded using a structured data-collection form. The collected data were entered and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 365 with descriptive statistics.

Results: A total of 150 prescriptions were evaluated, comprising 80 male patients (53.33%) and 70 female patients (46.67%). The 50–60-year age group was predominant (31.33%). Comorbidities were present in 79 patients, with cardiovascular disease being the most frequently reported condition. Double-drug therapy was the most common treatment pattern, accounting for 58 prescriptions (38.67%), followed by triple-drug therapy in 33 (22.00%) and single-drug therapy in 29 (19.33%) prescriptions. Metformin was the most frequently prescribed oral antidiabetic medicine (38.29%). Biguanide–sulfonylurea combinations were the predominant dual-drug regimen (70.93%). A total of 607 medicines were prescribed, with an average of 4.05 medicines per prescription. Injectable therapy was recorded in 13 prescriptions (8.67%).

Conclusion: Metformin-based combination therapy was the predominant prescribing pattern. The observed comorbidities and polypharmacy highlight the need for regular prescription review, pharmacist involvement, patient counselling, and individualized treatment to promote safe and rational antidiabetic drug use.