Burden of death and disability due to adverse effects of medical treatment in India: An analysis using the global burden of disease 2019 study data

Abstract

Unsafe patient care can result in an adverse event that may lead to hospitalization, disability, or death. India has a vast and diverse population with varying degrees of access to tertiary healthcare. However, there is a lack of studies analyzing the burden of healthcare-related adverse events. We aimed to determine the burden of adverse effects of medical treatment (AEMT) in India from 2010 to 2019 using the global burden of disease (GBD) 2019 study database. Using the GBD data, we computed estimates for deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) due to AEMT at the national level and stratified them based on age and gender. AEMT contributed to less than 0.01 % of death and DALY rates due to all causes in India. From 2010 to 2019, there was a decrease in the death rate from 2.34 (1.75–2.66) to 2.33 (1.73–2.86) per 100000 population. The number of deaths and DALYs was highest in the 50–74-year age group and in females. There has been a decrease in the death and DALY rates in India over the past decade. AEMT accounts for only a small percentage of deaths due to all causes; however, the potential underreporting and the impact of medical treatment-related adverse events on the public perception regarding healthcare services need to be studied.

Keywords

• Adverse effects
• Pharmacotherapy
• Death
• Disability
• Disease burden