Corticosteroid Prescribing Practices at Dermatology Outpatient Departments of Tertiary Care Hospitals: A Multicenter, Cross Sectional Study

BackgroundIn dermatology, corticosteroids are the most frequently prescribed medication group. The goal of this study was to examine the prescription pattern of glucocorticoids in patients with skin diseases in outpatient dermatology departments (OPD) in tertiary care hospitals. MethodsA prospective, multi-centered, cross-sectional study was undertaken in the dermatology department of government affiliated private medical College hospitals in Chittagong, Bangladesh, from March 2021 to April 2022. A total of 450 prescriptions from dermatology out-patient department patients with skin diseases were obtained and evaluated for demographics, skin diseases, and corticosteroid use patterns. ResultOut of 450 patients, majority belonged to the age group 21-40 years (44%) and were female (56%). The most frequent indication for prescribing corticosteroids were eczema (20%) urticaria (17%) and allergic Contact dermatitis (7%) and psoriasis (7%). The commonest corticosteroids used were betamethasone (19%) and Clobetasol proprionate (17%), Deflazacort (15%). Use of topical steroid combinations with Fusidic acid and Miconazole nitrate were prevalent, (4%) and (5%), respectively. Highly potent steroids were used in 51% cases whereas only 21% were given low potency steroids. ConclusionPhysicians prefer highly potent corticosteroids, according to this study. To improve prescribing, physicians should receive ongoing medical education and be made aware of the irrational use of steroids. Researchers and policymakers can use the baseline data acquired in these studies to enhance judicial prescribing practices. Keywords: Corticosteroids, dermatology, prescribing pattern.