title: Prescribing Patterns of Drugs in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): An Observational Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by acute respiratory failure and is associated with wide range of clinical disorders. Controversy prevails over the pharmacological intervention in this disease. The aim of the study was to observe the prescribing pattern of drugs in patients with ARDS managed at a tertiary care hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  This observational study was conducted at tertiary care hospital in India. Data of patients admitted from January 2010 to December 2012 was collected. Patients aged more than 18 years admitted in ICU, who were diagnosed to have ARDS during the study period, were included. A total of 150 patients of ARDS were selected. Data was collected as per the pre designed proforma and it included patients' age, gender, clinical disorders precipitating ARDS, prescribing pattern of drugs and outcome. The data of the subjects was collected till discharge from hospital or death.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Infection was the cause of ARDS in 81.3% (n=122) of subjects. Antibiotics were prescribed in all the subjects and beta-lactams were prescribed in 97.3% (n=146). 41.3% (n=62) were prescribed corticosteroids, 39.3% (n=59) diuretics and 89.3% (n=134) intravenous fluids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The outcome of patients on different pharmacological treatment did not show any statistically significant difference.
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Kasturba Medical College , Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India .
authors: Rahul
authors: R
authors: Magazine
authors: Student, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Kasturba Medical College , Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India .
authors: Shobitha
authors: S
authors: Rao
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Kasturba Medical College , Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India .
authors: Bharti
authors: B
authors: Chogtu
keywords: ARDS; Antibiotics; Corticosteroids; Intravenous fluids