Drug utilization and adverse drug reactions in medical patients: comparison of two periods, 1969--72 and 1973--76.
A study of drug usage and adverse drug reactions was carried out on 2,771 hospitalized medical patients during 1969--76. Comparison of data between 1969--72 and 1973--76 shows an 11% reduction in the average number of drugs per patient, and a 59% decrease in the incidence of adverse effects, calculated as percent of all exposures. The number of patients affected by adverse reactions during the second period fell by 61%. These data seem to indicate that there was considerable improvement in habits of drug usage in the monitored ward.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004363:Drug Utilization; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged