A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY ON PRESCRIPTION PATTERN AND MEDICATION ADHERENCE IN PATIENTS WITH MELASMA

Megha O. S.* and Dr. Vaishnavi Prasannan

ABSTRACT

Melasma is an acquired form of sun-exposed region hyper melanosis. The patient usually presents with tan to brown spots. The etiology and pathogenesis of melasma have been linked to a variety of factors, including heredity, sun exposure, race, pregnancy, oral contraceptives, cosmetics and hormonal factors. An observational descriptive study was conducted among 70 patients at out-patient Department of dermatology, ESIC MC- PGIMSR & Model Hospital, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru. Data collection was done using Self-designed patient profile form: containing details of patient demography, prescription pattern of drugs, complaints, diagnosis, management, comorbidities etc. The subjects were administered Morisky Medication –Taking Adherence Scale-MMAS (4-item) to obtain relevant data on medication adherence of patients. The Majority of patients were females and were age group of 36-45 years. Most of the patients presented for treatment within 1-5 years of onset. The study reveals that generic prescription is 52% and suggests that effort must be made to encourage multitude of benefits including cost effectiveness. Sunscreens and skin lightening agents were the most commonly prescribed medication. Majority of the patients have good medication adherence and reduced melasma evaluation. This study suggests that there is immense scope of improvement in prescribing in this department.

Keywords: Melasma, Prescription pattern, Medication adherence, comorbid condition, duration of lesions, Sunscreen, Skin lightening agents.