[Medical and socio-economical impact of drug-induced adverse reactions]

Abstract

Objective: To analyse the nature of adverse drug reactions, their frequency, the drugs incriminated, their outcome, the different ways to treat them and their cost.

Methods: Descriptive, prospective and non-comparative study, based on spontaneous reporting. Each patient was followed-up over a 6-month period.

Results: One hundred and fifteen adverse events were reported in 113 patients (58 men and 55 women), with a mean age of 59.5 years. Cutaneous and haematological reactions predominated, with a majority of cardiovascular and psychotropic agents incriminated. Sixty-three percent of adverse reactions were serious: 49% led to (or prolonged) hospitalisation, 6% led to death, 4% to after effects, 3% were life-threatening and 1% led to congenital malformation. The mean duration of an adverse reaction was of 37.4 days. The total cost of these 115 adverse reactions was an estimated 610.110 Euros, with a mean global cost of 5.305 Euros per event.

Conclusion: This study shows the individual and collective extent of the impact of adverse individual and collective reactions.