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Factors Associated with Drug-Related Emergency Department Visits at a Teaching Hospital in Malaysia

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Abstract

Introduction

Adverse drug events (ADEs) are a significant health problem globally, with the emergency department (ED) being an important environment for the detection of ADEs. Data regarding drug-related visits to the ED in Malaysia are currently limited.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with prescription drug-related ED visits at a teaching hospital.

Methods

A case-control study was conducted on patients who visited the ED of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia over a 7-week period between December 2014 and January 2015. A visit to the ED was considered drug-related if the chief presenting complaint was related to prescription drug use. Data were collected by interviewing patients, and also from the patient’s medical record. Multiple logistic regression was applied to determine the risk factors.

Results

Overall, 144 physician-identified patients with drug-related ED visits were considered as cases and 288 patients with non-drug-related complaints were selected as controls. Independent risk factors identified for drug-related ED visits were female sex (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–2.71), currently taking regular medication (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.87–6.05), concurrent comorbidity (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.28–4.10), a history of drug allergy (OR 5.36, 95% CI 2.30–12.48), and recent hospital admission (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.23–4.10). Independent risk factors were also associated with the following health problems: diabetes mellitus (OR 6.83, 95% CI 3.30–14.12), central nervous system disorders (OR 9.42, 95% CI 3.08–14.12), and cardiovascular disorders (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.25–4.79).

Conclusions

The determinants of a drug-related ED visit at a teaching hospital are multifactorial. Interventions to prevent future occurrences should focus on those patients at risk.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the physicians at the ED of the HUSM for their assistance during the study period. The assistance of nurses and other paramedics is also gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Gong Badak Campus, 21300, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

    Ab Fatah Ab Rahman & Abubakar Ibrahim Jatau

  2. Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

    Myat Moe Thwe Aung

  3. School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

    Tuan Hairulnizam Tuan Kamauzaman

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  1. Ab Fatah Ab Rahman
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  2. Abubakar Ibrahim Jatau
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Correspondence to Ab Fatah Ab Rahman.

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Funding

No funding was received for this study.

Conflicts of Interest

Ab Fatah Ab Rahman, Abubakar Ibrahim Jatau, Myat Moe Thwe Aung, and Tuan Hairulnizam Tuan Kamauzaman report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Ethical Approval

The Human Research Ethical Committee of both Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA.N/1/628-1[68]) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM/JEPeM/140/100342) approved the study protocol. All patients selected for inclusion in the study completed consent forms prior to study commencement.

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Ab Rahman, A., Jatau, A.I., Aung, M.M.T. et al. Factors Associated with Drug-Related Emergency Department Visits at a Teaching Hospital in Malaysia. Pharm Med 31, 175–181 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40290-017-0187-5

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