RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS

Background: Understanding the association of risk factors to adverse drug reactions is very important to all healthcare professionals for the development of appropriate preventive strategies for better health care. Objectives: To identify and evaluate the risk factors associated with adverse drug reactions developed in the hospitalized patients of different departments. Methods: A prospective-retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital for a period of twenty two months, with a specific criterion. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used. Risk factors included provisional diagnoses, suspected drugs which were classified according to ICD-10 classification and therapeutic classification respectively and also subjects’ age groups and gender were included. Results: A total of 204 cases’ were identified with adverse drug reactions during the period of study for which 1:1 ratio of controls were taken. During the study 175 subjects developed single ADRs (adverse drug reactions) and 29 had multiple ADRs. Causality assessment and severity of reactions were evaluated by using standard scales. Greater association to ADR were shown in the age group of 61-70 years (OR 5.263 95 CI (29.693-0.935)) and males were more likely to experience ADRs. Polypharmacy was identified as major risk factor in the development of adverse drug reactions. Conclusion: In order to minimize the risk of ADRs, early detection and awareness of risk factors plays an important role. Healthcare team should pay more attention in vulnerable age groups and to reduce the irrational drug prescriptions for better patient healthcare.