[Study of drug dose calculation for morbidly obese patients].
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study is to analyse the appropriateness and characteristics of drug dose calculation for hospitalised, morbidly obese patients.


METHODS
Retrospective, descriptive study of dose calculations for drugs prescribed to hospitalised, morbidly obese patients in a tertiary hospital in 2007. The recommendations prepared by the Pharmacy division are used as a standard.


RESULTS
We included 62 patients. The mean number of medications prescribed per patient was 12.1 (4-39), and an average of 2.4 (1-10) are listed in the recommendations. A total of 135 drugs were prescribed. Dose calculations for 81 of the above (60 %) coincided with recommendations and 54 (40 %) did not; there were 51 cases of underdosing and three cases of overdosing.


CONCLUSIONS
Improper dosing was detected for prescriptions in the systemic antibiotic and antithrombin drug groups, with underdosing being more common than overdosing.
Serra Soler
G
G
Servicio de Endocrinología y Nutrición, Servicio de Farmacia Hospitalaria, Hospital Universitario Son Dureta, Palma de Mallorca, Islas Baleares, España. gserseol@hotmail.com
Galán Ramos
N
N
Martínez-López
I
I
Delgado Sánchez
O
O
Quevedo Juanals
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015992:Body Mass Index; D054796:Drug Dosage Calculations; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D000700:Analgesics; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents