Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess antibiotic usage in gastrointestinal disorders with respect to appropriateness, pattern of resistance, and incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). METHODOLOGY: Antibiotic prescribing in the gastroenterology department of a tertiary care hospital was evaluated using the Gyssens criteria and also by assessing drug related problems (DRPs) using the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe V.6.2. A total of 173 patients were studied prospectively by a team of clinical pharmacists. Antibiotic susceptibility was prospectively studied; in addition, retrospective data on culture and sensitivity reports of commonly isolated organisms from 1 October 2012 to 30 September 2014 were collected to determine the resistance pattern in previous years. ADRs were evaluated using the Naranjo scale. RESULTS: Antibiotic therapy was appropriate in 60% of patients and inappropriate in the remaining patients due to incorrect decision, choice, and use. A total of 184 DRPs and 30 ADRs of antibiotics were identified. In the study patients, the most commonly isolated organism was Escherichia coli (27.3%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.7%). Both E coli and K pneumoniae exhibited 100% resistance towards cefotaxime. There was an increase in the resistance of E coli and K pneumoniae against various antibiotics tested in 2013-2014 as compared to the previous year. An empirical antibiotic policy was developed which was endorsed by the gastroenterology department. CONCLUSIONS: Although antibiotic therapy was appropriate in the majority of patients, irrational use occurred due to incorrect choice, improper dosage, and improper duration of therapy. E coli and K pneumoniae isolates showed an increase in resistance towards various antibiotics tested.