INCIDENCE OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Drugs offer great benefit to elderly patients, but they may result in great risks when not administered or managed properly and also due to pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic changes. To estimate the incidence of ADR among elderly population and also to monitor the causality, preventability and severity of ADRs. The study was a prospective observational study carried out in a tertiary care hospital. The pertinent information was collected from patient IP files using a standard case record form and by enquiring about OTC medications and other drugs taken by them. All data were analyzed with the help of SPSS version 16 software. Out of 320 patients (55 had ADR) incidence of the ADRs was found to be 17.18 %. Majority of ADRs were type A reactions (50.90 %). Chi-square test was used for analysis and p value less than or equal to 0.05 was considered as significant. The study concluded by stating that involving clinical pharmacist services in patient care can significantly help to identify, resolve, and prevent the drug related problems in hospital thereby enhancing the patient outcomes