Incidence and Factors Associated with Drug Related Hospital Admissions in a South Indian Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective: The study aimed to assess the incidence, nature of drug related hospital admissions (DRHAs) and factors associated with DRHAs. Method: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the medical records of patients admitted to general medicine department for six months. Drug related hospital admissions were assessed using Helper and Stand Classification. Crude odds ratio (COR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) were determined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The results of analysis of 1177 medical records reveal that 202 (17.2%) patients were admitted due to 248 DRHAs. Of which, the most common DRHA was non-compliance that accounted for 50.50% (102). Out of 248 drug related hospital admissions, 65.8% (n=163) were definitely preventable, 30.2% (n=75) were possibly preventable and 4.0% (n=10) were definitely not preventable. However, multivariate regression analysis results indicate that hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and polypharmacy at admission are significantly (p< 0.001) associated with DRHA. Conclusion: The factors remarkably associated with drug related hospital admissions are age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and polypharmacy. The major reasons for drug related hospital admissions are non-compliance and adverse drug reactions. Collaborative efforts among patients, physicians, pharmacists and caregivers might reduce the frequency of drug related hospital admissions.