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Frequency, types and factors associated with potentially harmful drug interactions in ambulatory elderly patients in
Kazeem B Yusuff1,2, Chinyere Nma Okoh1
1Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacy Administration, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Objective:
To determine the frequency, types and factors associated with potentially harmful drug interactions among ambulatory elderly (≥65 years) patients in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Methods:
A 4-week cross-sectional study was conducted among 229 elderly patients who consented and were prescribed two or more medicines within a 4-week study period at a major 256-bed secondary care facility in Ibadan, Nigeria. Chi-square and risk ratio were used to identify the factors associated with the potentially harmful drug-drug interactions.
Key Findings:
Potentially harmful drug-drug interactions were identified in about two-thirds (65%, 149/229) of the patients. The risk of occurrence drug interactions was significantly higher among patients who had at least six prescribed medicines (relative risk: 7.8 (95% confidence interval, 6.9 to 9.5) (P < 0.001)), and a significant majority were also females (73.8%) (110) (P < 0.001). The most frequent interacting drug combination was angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and amiloride + hydrochlorothiazide (34.7%).
Conclusion:
Potentially harmful drug interactions that are significantly associated with high multiple prescribing are considerable among elderly patients in Nigeria.
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