Prescription-level of tramadol utilisation at a tertiary hospital setting in Malaysia: changing trends over a 7-year follow-up period

Alias, Nor Elina and Zin, Che Suraya and Mohamed Nazar, Nor Ilyani and Ab Rahman, Norny Syafinaz and Mohd Taufek, Nor Hidayah (2019) Prescription-level of tramadol utilisation at a tertiary hospital setting in Malaysia: changing trends over a 7-year follow-up period. In: International Conference on Pharmaceutical Research and Pharmacy Practice cum 14th IIUM-MPS Pharmacy Scientific Conference (ICPRP 2019), 19-20th October 2019, Hotel Istana Kuala Lumpur. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION It was reported in a previous study that tramadol was the most frequently prescribed analgesic in Malaysia’s hospital outpatient setting. However, little is known of its trends of prescribing. OBJECTIVES This study evaluated the trends of tramadol prescribing in Malaysia. METHOD This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using the prescription database of a tertiary hospital in Malaysia. All tramadol prescriptions in outpatient setting issued for adult patients aged ≥18 years old from 2010 to 2016 were included. The annual number of prescriptions and patients measured in repeat cross-sectional estimates for each year were evaluated. Descriptive statistics and linear trend analysis were applied using Stata version 15.1. RESULTS A total of 64594 tramadol prescriptions were prescribed for 40965 patients from 2010 to 2016. Prescriptions for tramadol increased by 52.7% from 7643 in 2010 to 11763 in 2016, with an average annual increment of 7.1%. The number of new patients prescribed with tramadol increased gradually throughout the study period (a 7.2% increase annually) with the majority (75.6%, n=30974) of them receiving one tramadol prescription. CONCLUSION: Tramadol prescribing increased gradually over a 7-year study period, with the majority of patients receiving only one prescription of tramadol - most likely indicating the use of tramadol for acute pain conditions. Further investigation on the indication and its clinical outcomes are required to ensure safe and rational use of tramadol.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)
Additional Information:	4127/76011
Uncontrolled Keywords:	trends of prescribing; patterns; tramadol; opioids; Malaysia
Subjects:	R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Pharmacy > Department of Pharmacy Practice Kulliyyah of Pharmacy
Depositing User:	Prof Dr Che Suraya Mohd Zin
Date Deposited:	12 Nov 2019 15:54
Last Modified:	12 Nov 2019 15:54
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/76011

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