Prescribing Pattern and Effect of Diuretics in the Management of Ascites: A Comprehensive Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Ascites is a medical disorder characterized by fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity. Diuretics have been essential in the treatment of ascites, helping to reduce fluid retention and relieve related symptoms. The purpose of this research is to provide a thorough examination of the prescribing trends for diuretics and their effectiveness in managing ascites. Three separate groups of patients will be included in the study: patients who are given furosemide alone, patients who are given spironolactone alone and patients who are given both diuretics together. By using this method, we desire to learn more about the relative merits and potential synergistic effects of various diuretic regimens for the treatment of ascites. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with ascites and prescribed diuretics will be identified using diagnostic codes and medication records. Data on prescribing patterns, including types of diuretics, dosages and duration of therapy, will be extracted. Efficacy between the groups was compared by the electrolyte imbalance, weight reduction and urine output-input ratio data. Results: 100 liver cirrhosis patients were recruited for this study as per the inclusion-exclusion criteria. Based on the severity of ascites, three different diuretic patterns were prescribed such as monotherapy with Spironolactone (16%) and Furosemide (10%) as well as combination therapy (74%). The study reveals that significant weight reduction and increase in urine output-input ratio was found in the combination group when compared to monotherapy groups. Furthermore, the incidence of electrolyte abnormalities, hyponatremia and hypokalemia was high in the Furosemide group and hyperkalemia was high in the Spironolactone group. Conclusion: Management with combination was found to be as economical, safe and effective as Spironolactone monotherapy when compared to Furosemide monotherapy.