Descriptive Outcome Based Study for Treatment Strategies of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections using Medication Therapy Management

Abstract

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI`s) are the fifth leading cause of death due to infections being responsible for 2.74 million deaths worldwide. Antibiotics are used primarily to treat these infections. The aim of this research is to study the medication therapy management of patients with lower respiratory tract infections admitted in ESI hospital, Bangalore, and to improve the quality of life of patients. It is a descriptive, observational, and interventional study. The data is collected through suitably designed forms and by direct interaction with the patients as well as their caretakers. The study cohort consists of 40 patients, of that males were 24 (60%) and females were 16 (40%). Most of the infected cases were in the age group of 51 to 60 years and the minimum infected were of 11 to 20 years and 81 to 90 years. The symptoms like Hyperthermia (30%), Tachycardia, and tachypnea (32.5%) were observed. A high count of RBS, PPBS, FBS were seen among 25%. Observations including leukocytopenia (7.5%), neutropenia (15%), lymphocytopenia (22.5%), leukocytosis (22.5%), neutrophilia (27.5%), lymphocytosis (35%), eosinophilia (7.5%), monocytosis (2.5%), and all cases have increased ESR (100%). LRTI was among 13 (32.5%) patients and remaining were with complications associated with LRTI. 40 (100%) patients received IV fluids along with Duolin, Budecort, Augmentin, Cough syrup, and Deriphylline. Maximum drug interactions are seen in Pantoprazole + Deriphylline combination among 14 (35%). Process measures (type and frequency of drug therapy problems detected), economic measures (number of medications dispensed), and humanistic measures, (patient satisfaction with services) were the main outcomes in this process after providing MTM services.