Summary
A comparative study of adverse drug reactions (ADR) leading to hospital admission showed that 103 (4.1%) out of 2499 medical admissions in Jerusalem and 167 (5.7%) out of 2933 admissions in Berlin were due to such reactions. Sex distribution in the two patient — populations was almost equal but the Jerusalem patients were younger. The most frequent ADRs were digitalis intoxication (in Berlin) and reactions to antibiotics (in Jerusalem). Other important differences were noted in the relative frequencies of ADRs associated anticoagulants, hypoglycemic agents and oral contraceptives. They were probably related to differences in drug usage in the two countries. The most common major side effects were arrhythmias, allergic reactions, bleeding, congestive heart failure, bronchospasm and hypoglycemia. The following risk factors were identified in both cities: old age, female sex, impaired renal function, previous history of ADR and polypragmasia.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Smith, J. W., Seidl, L. G., Cluff, L. E.: Studies on the epidemiology of ADR. V. Clinical factors influencing suceptibility. Ann. Int. Med.65, 629–60 (1966)
Hurwitz, N.: Admissions to hospital due to drugs. Br. Med. J.1969/I, 539–540
Miller, R. R.: Hospital admissions due to adverse drug reactions. Arch. Int. Med.134, 219–223 (1974)
Caranasos, G. J., Stewart, R. B., Cluff, L. E.: Drug-induced illness leading to hospitalization. J. Am. Med. Assoc.228, 713–717 (1974)
Levy, M., Lipshitz, M., Eliakim, M.: Hospital admissions due to adverse drug reactions. Am. J. Med. Sci.277, 49–56 (1979)
Borda, I., Slone, D., Jick, H.: Assessment of adverse reactions within a drug surveillance program. J. Am. Med. Assoc.205, 645–647 (1968)
Slone, D., Jick, H., Borda, I., et al.: Drug surveillance utilizing nurse monitors. Lancet1966/II, 901–903
Jick, H., Miettinen, O. A., Shapiro, S. et al.: Comprehensive drug surveillance. J. Am. Med. Assoc.213, 1455–1460 (1970)
Irey, N. S.: Diagnostic problems and methods in drug-induced diseases: Part I (1966), Part II (1967), Part III (1968). Washington, DC: American Registry of Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, 1966–1968
Mach, E. P., Venulet, J.: The economic of adverse reactions to drugs. WHO Chronicle29, 79–84 (1975)
Karch, F., Lasagna, L.: Adverse drug reaction. J. Am. Med. Assoc.324, 1236–1241 (1975)
Hurwitz, N.: Predisposing factors in AR to drugs. Br. Med. J.1969/I, 536–539
Levy, M., Nir, I., Birnbaum, D., et al.: Adverse reactions to drugs in hospitalized medical patients. Isr. J. Med. Sci.9, 617–626 (1973)
Gorrod, J. W.: Absorption, metabolism and excretion of drugs in geriatric subjects. Gerontol. Clin.16, 30–42 (1974)
Crooks, J., O'Malley, K., Stevenson, I. H.: Pharmacokinetics in the elderly. Clin. Pharmacokinet.1, 280–296 (1976)
Ewy, G. A., Kapadia, G. G., Yao, L., et al.: Digoxin metabolism in the elderly. Circulation39, 449–453 (1969)
Levy, M., Adler, R., Superstein, E., et al.: Biovailability of digoxin tablets in Israel. Harefuah89, 153–154 (1975)
Huguley, C. M.: Agranulocytosis induced by dipyrone, a hazardous antipyretic and analgesic. J. Am. Med. Assoc.189, 935–941 (1964)
Lunde, P. K. M., Levy, M.: Drug utilization — geographical differences and clinical implications. In: Advances in pharmacology and therapeutics, Vol. 6. P. Duchene-Marrulaz (ed.), pp. 79–81. Oxford: Pergamon Press 1978
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Levy, M., Kewitz, H., Altwein, W. et al. Hospital admissions due to adverse drug reactions: A comparative study from Jerusalem and Berlin. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 17, 25–31 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00561673
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00561673