Monitoring of Adverse Reactions in Geriatric South Indian Patients in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital: A Prospective Study

Physiological variations & Polypharmacy of elderly show more ADR when compare with adult. Hence this study was carried out to see the incidence and type of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized elderly patients in a selected general medicine department. This was a cohort & a cross sectional study, conducted over a period of two years those who satisfy the criteria. Descriptive statistics were applied to the obtained data. Out of 475 cases only 30 have ADR (6.31%). These ADRs were assessed by using a WHO causality assessment scale, Naranjo, Hertwiz scales. WHO scale shows certainly 14 (46.44%), probable or likely 7 (23.33%), possible 9 (30%). Naranjo scale shows Definite 2 (6.6%), possible 1 (3.3%), Probable 27 (90%). Hurwitz's shows 1 (3.3%) severe, mild 4 (13.33%), moderate 25 (83.3%). Interestingly the outcome of the ADR showed improvement as only 3 patients were hospitalized due to ADR while remaining ADRs were observed during the treatment for which alert cards were given for prevention in the future to the patient/care taker. The more common ADR were observed with amlodipine, steroids, amiodarone. Adverse drug reactions are common in all the age groups. So monitoring & prevention of ADR in the elderly is very vital / crucial to prevent the expenses incurred. These studies also showed crave/need for pharmaceutical care in elderly.