title: Patterns of rheumatic diseases and antirheumatic drug usage in 11931 Indian patients.
abstract: Patterns of rheumatic diseases and antirheumatic drug usage in different regions of India were analysed. The data was collected from a post-marketing surveillance of diclofenac sodium (Voveran) in 11931 patients. The common conditions were-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 28.1%, osteoarthrosis (OA) 24.8%, soft-tissue rheumatism 12.4%, cervical spondylosis 6%, ankylosing spondylitis (AS) 3.5%, gout 2%. East zone had a significantly lower proportion of osteoarthritis (20.9%). The age distribution and sex ratios of RA, OA and AS were in line with literature reports. The severity of illness was moderate in 62% and duration was more than 6 months in 50.2%. Data on NSAID usage showed a preponderance of combinations and ibuprofen. There were no significant differences in NSAID usage across diseases or regions.
authors.affiliation: Medical Dept. Hindustan Ciba-Geigy Ltd., Bombay.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Bhatt
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Sane
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Vaidya
authors.forename: H V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Bolar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012744:Sex Ratio
chemical_list: D004008:Diclofenac