Incidence and severity of drug interactions in the elderly: a prospective study of 639 patients

La Revue de médecine interne
N D ManchonJ Bourreille

Abstract

The medicinal treatments of 639 patients aged over 65 were recorded on admission to hospital. The mean number of drugs consumed was 4.4 +/- 2.8 per patient. Drug interaction was found in 37 p. 100 of the patients on the basis of data published in the Vidal dictionary. The prevalence of interactions increased with the number of drugs prescribed. The medicinal families most frequently involved were digitalis derivatives, antiarrythmic agents, diuretics, anticoagulants and psychotropic drugs. Thirty patients (4.7 p. 100) presented with a side-effect that was directly ascribable to an interaction. Among the iatrogenic adverse reactions 11 were life-threatening, including 8 cases of severe dysrhythmia and 3 cases of gastrointestinal haemorrhages. Altogether, one-third of all iatrogenic disorders were consecutive to a drug interaction. Simple precautions would have considerably reduced the frequency of such side-effects.

Citations

Mar 14, 2003·European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·Sabin S EggerRaymond G Schlienger
Aug 10, 2006·European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·Bengt AstrandGöran Petersson
Nov 24, 2007·La Presse médicale·Bruno CharpiatOrnella Conort

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias are abnormalities in heart rhythms, which can be either too fast or too slow. They can result from abnormalities of the initiation of an impulse or impulse conduction or a combination of both. Here is the latest research on arrhythmias.

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly due to stroke and thromboembolism. Here is the latest research.