Evaluation of Factors Associated with Adverse Drug Events in South Korea Using a Population-Based Database

This retrospective study aims to investigate the factors associated with the occurrence of ADEs using nationally representative claims data. All patients with at least one claim with diagnosis codes denoting potential ADE between 1 July 2015 and 31 December 2015 were included. Potential ADE was defined as ADE identified in the claims data, because it was not verified. The index date was defined as the date of the first claim with potential ADEs. Demographic data were collected at the index date, while data on comorbidities and number of medications used were collected six months before the index date. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the association between potential ADEs and several factors, including sex, age group, insurance type, comorbidities, and number of prescribed medications. Patients with potential ADEs were older, had more chronic diseases, and used more medications than those without potential ADEs. In the multivariate analysis, occurrence of potential ADEs was associated with age (≥65 years, odds ratio [OR] 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.21), Medical Aid program (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.27-1.47), Charlson Comorbidity Index scores (≥5, OR 2.87, 95% CI 2.56-3.20), and use of six or more medications (6-10 medications, OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.79-1.99). Age, Medical Aid program, comorbidities, and number of medications were associated with occurrence of potential ADEs.