title: Adverse drug events in critically ill patients with cancer: incidence, characteristics, and outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of adverse drug events (ADEs) in critically ill patients with cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a 5-month prospective observational study. Patients who were admitted to the adult medical/surgical oncology intensive care unit (ICU) were evaluated for any drug-related adverse events during their ICU stay. An ADE was defined as injury or patient harm resulting from medical intervention related to a drug.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence rate of ADEs was 96.5 per 1000 patient days and 35.3 per 100 ICU admissions. Of the reported ADEs, 57 (64.8%) were serious/life threatening, 30 (34.1%) were significant, 1 (1.1%) was fatal, and 14 (15.9%) of all ADEs were considered preventable. The most common drug classes associated with ADEs were antidiabetics, antibiotics, and analgesics/sedatives. The length of stay and presence of renal or respiratory failure were significantly associated with an increased number of ADEs. The length of stay and female sex were significantly associated with the likelihood of developing an ADE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Critically ill patients with cancer are at high risk of developing ADEs. Strategies that reduce the incidence and severity of ADEs are essential to improve the outcomes of this patient population.
authors: Department of Pharmacy, King Hussein Cancer Center, Al-Jubeiha, Amman, Jordan.
authors: Lama H
authors: LH
authors: Nazer
authors: Feras
authors: F
authors: Hawari
authors: Taghreed
authors: T
authors: Al-Najjar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: adverse drug event; cancer; characteristics; incidence; intensive care unit