Monitoring of adverse drug reactions in psychiatry outpatient department of a Secondary Care Hospital of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

Drug-related problems and associated factors among adult psychiatric inpatients in Northwest Ethiopia: Multicenter cross-sectional study

Objective:

To determine the prevalence of drug-related problems and the factors influencing them among adult psychiatric inpatients.

Methods:

A multi-centre cross-sectional observational study was conducted from April to July 2021 at five randomly selected hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia. A total of 325 consecutively sampled patients participated in the study. Clinical pharmacists assessed the drug-related problems based on clinical judgement supported by updated evidence-based disease guidelines. We used the Medscape drug-interactions checker to check drug-to-drug interactions. The results were summarised using descriptive statistics, including frequency, mean, and standard deviation. For each variable, an odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was calculated, as well as the related p-value. The value of p ⩽ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

From the total number of 325 study participants, more than half of them (52.9%) were females, and the mean age ± (standard deviation) was 30.8 ± 11.3 years. At least one drug-related problem was recorded by 60.9% to 95% confidence interval (55.7–65.8) of study participants, with a mean of 0.6 ± 0.49 per patient. Additional drug therapy was the most common drug-related problem (22.8%) followed by non-adherence to medicine (20.6%) and adverse drug reactions (11%), respectively. Factors independent associated with drug-related problems were rural residence (adjusted odds ratio = 1.96, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–2.84, p-value = 0.046), self-employed (adjusted odds ratio = 6.0, 95% confidence interval: 1.0–36.9, p-value = 0.035) and alcohol drinkers (adjusted odds ratio = 6.40, 95% confidence interval: 1.12–37.5, p-value = 0.034).

Conclusion:

The prevalence of drug-related problems among adult psychiatric patients admitted to psychiatric wards was high. Healthcare providers give more attention to tackling these problems. Being a rural resident, self-employed, and alcohol drinkers were associated with drug-related problems.

Adverse Drug Reactions in Psychiatry Outpatient Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Western Uttar Pradesh: An Observational Study

Objective

Psychiatric disorders are chronic in nature which require medications for a long duration. These medications have been associated with many adverse events. Failure to recognize an adverse drug reaction (ADR) exposes the patient to continuing risk of ADR, leading to a significant impact on patient's quality of life. Thus, the present study carried out to identify the pattern of ADRs reported due to psychotropic medication.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted to analyze ADRs reported from the psychiatry department of a tertiary care teaching hospital from October 2021 to March 2022.

Findings

A total of 137 ADRs were identified from 102 patients. Majority of the ADRs were reported from antidepressants, with paroxetine being the leading offending drug. The central nervous system was most commonly affected, and dizziness (13.13%) was the most common ADR noted. On causality assessment, 97 ADRs (70.8%) were of "possible" type. Almost half of the patients with ADRs (47.5%) recovered spontaneously. No ADR encountered turned out to be fatal.

Conclusion

The present study revealed that the majority of ADRs reported from psychiatry OPD were mild in nature. We reinforce the identification of ADR is crucial in the hospital setting process as it gives an insight into the risk-benefit ratio for rational use of the drug.

Psychotropic Drugs Prescription and Use among Children with Mental Disorders at a Tertiary Hospital in Vietnam

Background: Awareness of psychotropic medication and its adverse drug reactions (ADRs) can promote safe and rational use of medications, particularly in children and adolescents with mental problems. This study examined the prescription of psychotropic drugs and actual drug-drug interaction (DDI) and ADR for children with mental disorders under 18 years of age in a tertiary hospital in Vietnam. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on 257 psychiatric inpatients under 18 years of age at the National Mental Health Institute-Bach Mai Hospital in 2017. Information about the course of treatment included prescribed medications, drug interactions, side effects, drug combination, and modifications to the regimen was collected. Results: 14.8% and 59.5% of patients received a single-drug regimen and a 2-drug combination regimen upon admission, respectively. The most used regimen was antipsychotics + tranquilizers, accounting for 38.1%. Haloperidol was the most commonly prescribed drug (40.5%). Most patients were given the recommended dosage of the drug (>90%). There were 20.6% of patients having drug interactions with the largest proportion of the combination of diazepam and olanzapine (62.3%). ADRs of psychotropic drugs were detected in 46.3% of patients, with the highest rate of ADRs from antipsychotic drugs. Antipsychotics had the highest rate of replacement (91.3%), mostly replaced from a first-generation antipsychotic (FGA) to a second-generation antipsychotic (SGA). Conclusion: The appointment of psychotropic drugs to patients under 18 years of age has to comply with the recommendations, and carefully balance the benefits and risks of ADRs as well as the risk of DDI in case of the drug combination.

Adverse Drug Reactions Associated With Drugs Prescribed in Psychiatry: A Retrospective Descriptive Analysis in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background Psychiatric disorders are chronic in nature which often require long and continuous medications. These medications are known to cause adverse effects on their use. Their monitoring and prevention are crucial for the practicing family and community physicians. Method This is a cross-sectional retrospective study conducted to analyze all the spontaneous adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported from the psychiatry department to the ADR Monitoring Center, Department of Pharmacology, AIIMS Jodhpur during the time period from 2014 to 2020. Results A total of 334 ADRs were reported. The majority of the ADRs were reported from antipsychotics (60.6%) followed by antidepressants (25.5%) and antiepileptic drugs (5.8%). On further subgroup analysis of the drug classes among antipsychotics, Clozapine (15.8%) was the leading offending agent. Similarly, among Antidepressants, Escitalopram (6.1%) was causing the most side effects. The most common ADR reported was sedation (7.26%) followed by salivary hypersecretion (6.7%), akathisia (5.52%), and weight gain (5.52%). Conclusion Knowledge of common ADRs help in better management of the diseases and psychotropics as a class has various frequents ADRs. Early detection and suitable intervention can help the community physicians in the proper care of the patients and rational use of drugs.

Adverse Drug Reaction and Its Predictors Among Psychiatric Patients Taking Psychotropic Medications at the Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital

INTRODUCTION

Psychotropic medications are crucial in the treatment of a variety of psychiatric disorders. Use of second-generation antipsychotics (SGA) has been associated with many adverse events. Assessment and monitoring of ADRs is required to develop appropriate interventional strategies to manage, prevent and minimize the risks of undesirable effects and thus improve quality of life and adherence, avoid relapse, and reduce treatment costs.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this study were to assess adverse drug reactions and its predictors in psychiatric patients taking psychotropic medications from the outpatient pharmacy of MTUTH.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design was conducted using a structured questionnaire interviewing a psychiatric patient. One way ANOVA and bivariate logistic regression was computed for all independent variables to identify variables that fit for multivariate logistic regression. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

A total of 101 patients (91.8%) experienced one or more types of ADR in the current study. There was a statistically significant relationship between ADRs management and age, marital status, educational status, occupation, and monthly income of the study participants. The odds of having experienced autonomic adverse drug reactions experience among respondents aged 30 years and older higher than those under 30 years. Participants taking multiple medications were more likely to face psychiatric adverse drug reactions compared to those taking a single medication. Patients taking multiple psychotropic medications were ten times more likely to develop autonomic adverse drug reactions compared to those taking a single drug.

CONCLUSION

The study revealed a moderate incidence of ADR in patients attending the psychiatric OPD. Age and number of antipsychotics were predictors of ADR (autonomic and psychiatric). This study revealed that there is a gap in the role of clinicians in the monitoring and reporting of ADRs.

Quantifying and Categorizing ADRs in Psychiatric Residential Long-Stay Patients Utilizing UKU-SERS Scale

BACKGROUND

Psychotropic drugs are essential but not devoid of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), which lead to non-compliance and further failure of therapy, hampering the patient's quality of life.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, observational study was carried out in a residential nursing home in Pune, India, from October 2018 to March 2019. Psychiatric inpatients of both genders and all ages receiving psychotropic drugs for at least one month were enrolled. Patients who were not alert or oriented enough to give a detailed history and response to a questionnaire, including dementia patients, and those who were not willing to give informed consent were excluded. The ADRs were categorized, and their management was documented using the Udvalg for Kliniske Unders gelser (UKU) side effect rating scale. ADRs were assessed for causality and severity using the WHO-Uppsala Monitoring Centre (WHO-UMC) causality assessment scale and the Modified Hartwig and Siegel scale.

RESULTS

In our study, 115 patients (76.6%) experienced 273 adverse drug events. Atypical antipsychotics accounted for the maximum number of ADRs (54.94%; n = 150). The most common ADRs were weight gain, constipation, and tremors. The majority of ADRs were "mild" and had a "possible" causality relationship.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrated a high incidence of ADRs, which was primarily managed either by reduction of dose or continued drug use with the treatment of side effects.

Adverse Drug Reaction due to Antidepressants among Patients with Depression in a Private Psychiatric Hospital of Nepal

BACKGROUND

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are the known cause of morbidity and mortality, resulting in increased hospitalization, healthcare costs, complications, and decreased adherence in patients with depression. This study is aimed at evaluating adverse drug reactions due to antidepressants among patients with depression in the psychiatric hospital of Nepal.

METHODS

A hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted among 47 patients using purposive sampling techniques among patients with depression visiting a private psychiatric hospital. The causality, severity, and preventability assessment of reported ADRs was performed using the Naranjo scale, modified Hartwig Siegel's Severity Assessment Scale, and Schumock and Thornton scale, respectively. The data collected were entered into and analyzed using IBM-SPSS 20.0.

RESULTS

The incidence rate of ADR was found to be 4.54%, with females having a higher incidence rate of 5.56%. A total of 54 ADRs were reported. The majority of them were probable (30, 55.55%), moderate (36, 66.66%) and probably preventable (24, 44.44%). Most of the ADRs were managed either by stopping (19, 35.18%) or substituting (19, 35.18%) the suspected drug and 66.66% of the ADRs were recovered. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were associated with a higher number of ADRs i.e. 34.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight the need for regular intensive monitoring of ADRs in psychiatric outpatients by clinical pharmacists for early detection and reduction of risk caused by ADRs associated with antidepressants.

Magnitude, Nature, and Risk Factors of Adverse Drug Reactions Associated with First Generation Antipsychotics in Outpatients with Schizophrenia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

ADRs to antipsychotics are amongst the major challenges in the treatment of patients with psychotic disorders. The extent of patient-reported ADRs assessed in many studies using standardized scales is found to be inconsistent. However, there is a paucity of such research in Eritrea. The aim of the study is therefore to determine the magnitude, nature, and the possible risk factors associated with ADRs of the first generation antipsychotics in outpatients with schizophrenia at Saint Mary Neuro-Psychiatric National Referral Hospital in Asmara, Eritrea, using the LUNSERS self-rating scale.

Methods

A cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study design utilizing a quantitative approach was employed. Data were collected from patients' self-administered questionnaires, interviews, and medical records. The collected variables were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 with descriptive statistics, correlation, t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple regression. Statistical significance was tested at P-value<0.05.

Results

In this study, 93.8% of the research participants experienced at least one ADR. LUNSERS total mean score of the relevant items was 28.01 (SD=18.46) with 24.7% of the study participants scoring medium-to-high. The prevalence of the categories of ADRs was psychic (91.3%), autonomic (78.1%), extra-pyramidal (76.9%), miscellaneous (66.5%), hormonal (58.3%), anti-cholinergic (44.2%), and allergic reactions (44.2%). At multivariate level, factors significantly and positively associated with total ADR score were smoking (P=0.028) and being at secondary educational level (P=0.015).

Conclusion

There was high prevalence of ADRs with moderate-to-high overall ADR scores in a significant number of patients. The most frequently reported ADRs were psychic, autonomic, extra-pyramidal, hormonal, and miscellaneous. Smoking and secondary level of education were found to be the main determinants of ADRs.

Assessment of incidence, causality, severity, and preventability of suspected adverse drug reactions to antidepressant medications in a psychiatry outpatient setting of a secondary care hospital

Background:

Antidepressant medications are primarily used in the management of depression and various anxiety disorders. Antidepressant medications are known to cause adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Reporting ADRs can help in the rational use of medication and better patient drug management.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to monitor the incidence and nature of ADRs to antidepressant medications in a psychiatric outpatient setting of a secondary care hospital of the UAE.

Materials and Methods:

It was a cross-sectional study conducted in the psychiatric outpatient setting of a secondary care hospital. Patients attending psychiatry outpatient department and prescribed with antidepressant medications were included. All clinical side effects or ADRs noted by physician and reported by patients were documented and assessed according to causality, severity, and preventability scales.

Results:

A total of 131 patients were screened for the presence or occurrence of ADRs. During the study duration, an aggregate of 29 patients reported at least one ADR. Incidence of suspected ADR to antidepressant medications was found to be 22.1%. Most commonly documented suspected ADR was found to be weight gain in eight (18.1%) patients followed by somnolence in four (9.1%) patients. Escitalopram was the most common drug implicated with ADR in 13 (29.6%) patients followed by fluoxetine in 6 (13.6%) patients. According to World Health Organization-The Uppsala Monitoring Centre causality assessment, the predominance of the suspected ADRs was of “possible” type in 27 (61%) patients, and “mild” in severity in 40 (91%) patients, and “not preventable” in 37 (84%) patients. A statistically significant association (P = 0.019) was observed only between the presence of drug-interaction and the occurrence of ADR (relative risk: 0.429, confidence interval: 0.211–0.872).

Conclusion:

Most of the suspected ADRs related to antidepressants were “mild,” “predictable,” and “not preventable” in nature. Continuous monitoring may help in identifying, reducing, and preventing the risk of ADRs.

Overview of pharmacovigilance practices at the largest academic healthcare system in the State of Qatar

Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are major global concern, adversely impacting patient safety and health outcomes. ADRs cause significant morbidity and mortality among hospitalised patients, causing greater length of hospital stay, increased healthcare costs and patient dissatisfaction to the treatments. Pharmacovigilance (PV), a process of detecting, monitoring and preventing drug-related harm, plays a vital role to ensure patient safety. ADR reporting is the cornerstone of PV. PV practices in Qatar are relatively new and are evolving rapidly. The purpose of this article is to explore the medication safety practices (notably ADR reporting) at the largest academic healthcare center in Qatar. The article further provides evidence on how information related to ADRs are generated and interpreted. Furthermore, it describes how a designated center for monitoring medication safety activities was established at the largest healthcare provider in Qatar.