Burden and clinical impact of chemotherapy-induced adverse drug reactions: A prospective observational study

BackgroundChemotherapy-induced adverse drug reactions (ADRs) pose substantial clinical and economic challenges for cancer patients, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study evaluated the incidence, severity, management, and cost burden of chemotherapy-related ADRs in a tertiary care hospital.MethodsA prospective observational study was conducted among 415 patients receiving chemotherapy between September 2024 and April 2025. Data on ADR profiles, severity, causality, quality of life, medication adherence, and treatment-related costs were systematically collected and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.ResultsThe mean age of the study population was 50.42 ± 19.64 years, with hypertension and diabetes being the most common comorbidities (21.0%). Lung cancer (16.1%), lymphoma (15.9%), and prostate cancer (14.9%) were the most frequently reported malignancies. Anemia (33.7%), nausea and vomiting (29.2%), and alopecia (23.9%) were the most common ADRs. Most reactions were moderate in severity (55.9%), followed by mild (29.6%) and severe (14.5%). Nearly half of the patients incurred ADR management costs exceeding ₹10,000. ADR severity was significantly associated with higher economic burden (p < 0.001) and poorer quality of life (p < 0.0001). Medication adherence declined with increasing age, with no patients aged ≥80 years demonstrating high adherence.ConclusionChemotherapy-induced ADRs represent a significant clinical and economic burden. Strengthened pharmacovigilance, individualized treatment strategies, and cost-effective interventions are essential to improve patient safety and optimize oncology care outcomes.