Epidemiological investigation of emergency infusion adverse drug reactions in Nanjing, China: a prospective cross-sectional study

ObjectiveLittle is known about the morbidity and mortality of infusion Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in the emergency department. We sought to evaluate the epidemiology of emergency infusion ADRs.Materials and MethodsThis was a prospective study of infusion ADRs in the emergency infusion unit (EIU) of a tertiary hospital from 1 January 20201 January 2020, to 31 December 2021w31 December 2021. Emergency infusion ADRs were identified as intravenous drug-related ADRs that the causality was determined using the Naranjo algorithm. The incidence, severity and preventability of these ADRs were assessed using other standard criteria.ResultsA total of 327 ADRs were recorded for 320 participants, antibiotics were the class of drugs most commonly involved, and 76.15% of ADRs occurred within the first hour. The most common symptoms observed were skin manifestations, accounting for 46.04% of ADRs. Mild reactions accounted for 85.32% based on the Hartwig and Siegel scale. In 89.30% of the reports, the ADRs were evaluated as not preventable based on the modified Schumock and Thornton scale. The causality and severity of ADRs were related to Charlson Comorbidity Index score and age (P < 0.05).ConclusionThis epidemiological study described the pattern of emergency infusion ADRs in East China in detail. These findings may be useful to compare patterns among different centers.