WHO CORE PRESCRIBING INDICATORS AND ITS EFFECTS ON QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH SUPERFICIAL FUNGAL INFECTIONS

Tinea infections is a very common dermatological condition that is prominent in almost all age groups irrespective of gender. A prospective observational study was carried out in a sample of 210 patients in CAIMS, Karimnagar in the dermatology OPD for a time period of six months. The patients quality of life was evaluated using DLQI and prescription patterns were evaluated using WHO core prescribing indicators. The findings suggested that the condition was more commonly seen in age group of 31-60 years. The patients belonging to the low socio-economic status was found to be more prone to infections. As per DLQI, it was found that 66.6% of patients quality of life was largely affected by this condition. Furthermore, on studying the prescription pattern using the WHO core prescribing guidelines, the irrational use of drugs has been noticed.In this study using DLQI we came to the conclusion that tinea is a chronic infection and has a very large effect on the quality of life of individuals. WHO core prescribing indicators are used to study the irrational prescribing pattern and concluded that maximum prescriptions do not satisfy as per the ideal values.