GAINING INSIGHT INTO PATIENTS MEDICATIONS AND THEIR SELF-REPORTED EXPERIENCE OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Aim: To gain an insight into patients medications and their experience of self-reported adverse drug reactions. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the Emergency Department of a teaching hospital in the Midlands, United Kingdom from February to March, 2012.The study included patients aged 16 or over and currently on treatment with one or more medications. All patients were questioned on their medication history, indications for their medicines and experience of any adverse drug reactions with their medicines. Results: Of the 341 patients assessed, data from 85 patients was not complete and therefore was not included in the analysis. 256 (75%) of patients were included in the study. 103(40%) patients reported using over the counter medications, mainly paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. 52 (20%) of the patients did not know the reason for taking their medications and 116 (45%) patients were unaware of the adverse effects of their medications. 79 adverse drug reactions were recorded in 62 (24%) patients with 17 patients suffering from multiple reactions. Lack of prior knowledge about potential ADRs (R² 0.025, p = 0.002) was found to be an independent predictor of adverse drug reaction reporting. Conclusions: Information from 25% of the patients about their medicines was unavailable which highlights some of the challenges in obtaining accurate medication history. Provision of effective communication to patients about their medications can help in obtaining an accurate medication history that may lead to a reduction in the occurrence of preventable adverse drug reactions.