Prescribing pattern and treatment outcomes in upper respiratory tract infection: A comparative study of allopathic and unani medicine

Abstract

Background and objective

Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) rank among the top three diagnoses in outpatient settings. URTIs patients currently have access to treatment choices encompassing traditional and allopathic medications. The study aimed to elucidate the prevailing treatment practices in Unani and allopathic systems for URTIs, while concurrently assessing their efficacy in alleviating its symptoms.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at NIUM Hospital and a primary health centre in Bengaluru between June to December 2022. 200 eligible patients (100 per facility) were selected through purposive sampling. Prescriptions were analysed using established WHO and customized Unani indicators. Treatment efficacy was assessed using the WURSS-21 and Jackson scales. Information from the patients was gathered through interviews after obtaining written informed consent.

Results

The average number of drugs per prescription was 2.68 in allopathy and 3.87 in Unani medicine. Antihistamines and antibiotics were the most prescribed drugs in allopathy, with cetirizine and amoxicillin dominating the list. In Unani Medicine, Arq Ajeeb and Nuqoo-e-Nazla were commonly prescribed. Only 10.8 % of prescribed drugs in allopathy were from WHO list of essential medicines. Statistically significant improvement (p<0.001) in URTIs symptoms was observed with both Unani and allopathic treatments.

Conclusion

The findings indicates that average number of drugs per prescription in both facilities were above the recommendations. In allopathy, overprescribing of antibiotics and antihistamines, and deviation from EDL, was observed, while polypharmacy was noted in Unani prescriptions. Findings indicate that both Unani and allopathic treatments are effective in alleviating the URTIs symptoms, as reported by patients.