Contribution of adverse drug reactions to hospital admission of older patients

• Published in: Age and ageing 2000-01, Vol.29 (1), p.35-39
• Main Authors: Mannesse, C K, Derkx, F H, de Ridder, M A, Man in 't Veld, A J, van der Cammen, T J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accidental Falls - statistics & numerical data; Adverse and side effects; Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; Adverse drug reactions; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Algorithms; Cross-Sectional Studies; Drug Interactions; Drug therapy; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Drugs; Elderly; emergency medical services; Evaluation; Female; Frail Elderly - statistics & numerical data; Health aspects; Hospital care; Hospitalization; Hospitals, University; Humans; Male; Netherlands; Old age; Older people; Patient Admission - statistics & numerical data; Patient admissions; Risk; Risk Factors; Side effects
• ISSN: 0002-0729; 1468-2834; 1468-2834
• DOI: 10.1093/ageing/29.1.35

To describe the severity of adverse drug reactions as a factor in hospital admission of older patients, and to identify risk indicators for severe adverse drug reactions in these patients. Observational cross-sectional study. Five wards in a university hospital in The Netherlands. Patients aged 70 and over admitted to general medical wards. Use of statistical comparison and Kramer's algorithm. A severe adverse drug reaction was present in 25 (24%) of 106 patients. Thirteen patients (12%; 95% confidence interval 6.1-18.6%) were admitted probably because of an adverse drug reaction. Risk indicators for a severe adverse drug reaction were a fall before admission (odds ratio 51.3, P = 0.006), gastrointestinal bleeding or haematuria (odds ratio 19.8, P < 0.001) and the use of three or more drugs (odds ratio 9.8, P = 0.04). Adverse drug reactions are an important cause of hospital admissions in older people. A fall before admission may indicate a severe adverse drug reaction.