Contribution of adverse drug reactions to hospital admission of older patients.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
Observational cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Five wards in a university hospital in The Netherlands.


METHODS
Patients aged 70 and over admitted to general medical wards.


METHODS
Use of statistical comparison and Kramer's algorithm.


RESULTS
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).


CONCLUSIONS
Adverse drug reactions are an important cause of hospital admissions in older people. A fall before admission may indicate a severe adverse drug reaction.
Mannesse
C K
CK
Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital Rotterdam Dijkzigt, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. c.mannesse@worldonline.nl
Derkx
F H
FH
de Ridder
M A
MA
Man in 't Veld
A J
AJ
van der Cammen
T J
TJ
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004347:Drug Interactions; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors