Adverse Drug Reactions in Adult Patients Visiting an Emergency Department: Based on Spontaneous Reporting System

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Adverse drug reaction (ADR) is known to be a substantial reason for emergency departments (ED) visits. Additionally, it also is a frequent occurrence in ED. The aim of the study was to compare the characteristics between ADRs that occurred in ED and ADRs that occur elsewhere based on the spontaneous reporting system in a hospital. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, the data was collected by the spontaneous ADR reporting system within an electronic medical record system during a 24-month period. ADR of patients aged more than 18 years were included in this study. RESULTS: Patients with ADR was older in ED (42.6±14.5 vs. 53.9±17.2, p<0.001) and they were administered with less medications (2.0±1.3 vs. 4.4±4.4, p<0.001). The proportion of ADR reported by doctors in ED was higher than that in non-ED (41.2% vs. 28.2%, p<0.001). The proportion of the severe ADR was not significantly different between the ED and non-ED groups (2.9% vs. 3.8%, p=0.701). The most common symptom of ADRs in ED and non-ED groups were cutaneous (52.9%) and gastrointestinal (42.2%), respectively; the most common implicated medication was analgesics (62.7%) and analgesics (41.5%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of ADR in ED is different from that in non-ED locations. Further studies are needed to differentiate education and prevention strategies of ADR in ED from those in non-ED locations.