Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Hospitalisation and morbidity due to adverse drug reactions in elderly patients: a single‐centre study

2018; Wiley; Volume: 48; Issue: 10 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/imj.13961

1445-5994

Silvia Ognibene, Natale Vazzana, Claudio Giumelli, Luisa Savoldi, Luca Braglia, Giuseppe Chesi,

Pharmaceutical studies and practices

Abstract Background Adverse drug reaction (ADR) is a leading but under‐recognised cause of illness, particularly in frail subjects with multiple comorbidities. Aim To investigate the frequency, patterns and outcomes of ADR as a cause of hospitalisation in elderly patients admitted to an internal medicine ward. Methods We performed a retrospective observational study including every patient aged over 65 years who was admitted to our department during a 12‐month period. Patients admitted to short‐stay (<24 h) observation unit were excluded. Results ADR accounted for 106 of total 1750 recorded admissions, which constituted a proportion of 6.1% (95% confidence interval 5.0–7.3%). The median age of patients was 83.5 (78.0–87.0) years and 56.6% were on polypharmacy. A total of 170 ADR was recorded with 45.3% of subjects experiencing concomitantly more than one ADR from a single molecule. Diuretics were the most commonly imputed molecules (30 events, 17.6%), followed by antithrombotics (25 events, 14.7%) and central nervous system‐active drugs (16 events, 9.4%). Interactions were judged responsible for 39 cases of ADR (36.8%). An unfavourable outcome was observed in about one‐third of patients (37.7%). Among those subjects, 11 (10.4%) died and 29 (27.4%) had residual disability. Conclusion ADR are a common cause of hospital admission in elderly patients and are often associated with adverse outcomes. Our data underline the need of appropriate strategies aimed at identifying high‐risk patients and avoiding potentially preventable drug toxicities.