Resumen

GIACHETTO, Gustavo et al. Hospitalizaciones por reacciones adversas a medicamentos y abandono del tratamiento farmacológico en el hospital universitario. Rev. Méd. Urug. [online]. 2008, vol.24, n.2, pp. 102-108. ISSN 0303-3295.

Summary Introduction: globally, drug-caused diseases are a public health issue. In Uruguay, the importance of this topic is unknown. Objective: to describe the characteristics of hospitalization due to adverse drug reaction (ADR) and discontinuation of drug treatment at the Clinicas Hospital, and to estimate its frequency. Methods: patients hospitalized at the Clinicas Hospital between 1 December 2006 and 15 May, 2007, due to suspect of ADR and discontinuation of drug treatment were included in the study. We conducted a simple randomized sampling twice a week, for 30 days. We analyzed age, sex, drugs implied, disease causes, duration of hospitalization and evolution. Results: frequency of hospitalization due to ADR and discontinuation of drug treatment was 4.3% (Confidence interval was 95%, 2.8-5.3) Average age was 57 years old. The ADR were caused by antibiotics (n=4 ), antineoplastic agents and immunemodulators (n=3),cardiovascular drugs (n=2), anticoagulants (n=1), Antithyroid drugs (ATDs) (n=1), Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs (n=1) and antiandrogens (n=1). Five out of 13 patients with ADR were in life risk. The main cause for discontinuation of drug treatment was: ADR (n=2), failure to understand indications or not knowing the importance of treatment, or both (n=8), economic reasons (n=3), unknown (n=5). Four out of 18 patients who had discontinued drug treatment were in like risk, and one of them died. Conclusions: information collected in this study constitutes the first data about hospitalization due to adverse drug reaction and discontinuation of drug treatment at national level, in the public health sub sector. In order to fully assess the importance of the problem we need to expand observation and include other self-care providing centers. We stress the importance of the issue due to its seriousness and the fact that it prolongs hospital stay.

Palabras llave : PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [ adverse effects]; TREATMENT REFUSAL; HOSPITALIZATION.