Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in geriatric hospitalized patients

Abstract

Adverse drug reactions in elderly patients are major clinical problem. The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in geriatric hospitalized patients. The study was conducted in 100 geriatric patients hospitalized by prospectively. All admissions of patients aged 60 and over to internal department medical wards IRNA I RSUP Dr. Sardjito Yogyakarta from January-February and August-October 2006 were analyzed. Data collection was conducted base on the medical record then adverse drug reactions were identified by pharmacist-physician discussion. Evaluation of the data was carried out descriptively. The result of the study showed that suspect of ADRs occurred in 25 patients. We identified the existence of 30 ADRs. The majority symptoms of ADRs were related with gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, and gastritis) 56.7.%, cardiovascular (hypertension, and hypotension) 16.7 %. The finding of our study in adverse drug reactions (ADRs) identification supports pharmacists in building effective collaboration between health professional physicianpharmacist-nurse to identify and to prevent adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in geriatric patient.

Keywords

• Adverse drug reactions (ADRs)
• Geriatric
• Inpatient.