Factors Associated with Drug-Related Emergency Department Visits at a Teaching Hospital in Malaysia

Introduction Adverse drug events (ADEs) are a significant health problem globally, with the emergency department (ED) being an important environment for the detection of ADEs. Data regarding drug-related visits to the ED in Malaysia are currently limited. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with prescription drug-related ED visits at a teaching hospital. Methods A case-control study was conducted on patients who visited the ED of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia over a 7-week period between December 2014 and January 2015. A visit to the ED was considered drug-related if the chief presenting complaint was related to prescription drug use. Data were collected by interviewing patients, and also from the patient’s medical record. Multiple logistic regression was applied to determine the risk factors. Results Overall, 144 physician-identified patients with drug-related ED visits were considered as cases and 288 patients with non-drug-related complaints were selected as controls. Independent risk factors identified for drug-related ED visits were female sex (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–2.71), currently taking regular medication (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.87–6.05), concurrent comorbidity (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.28–4.10), a history of drug allergy (OR 5.36, 95% CI 2.30–12.48), and recent hospital admission (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.23–4.10). Independent risk factors were also associated with the following health problems: diabetes mellitus (OR 6.83, 95% CI 3.30–14.12), central nervous system disorders (OR 9.42, 95% CI 3.08–14.12), and cardiovascular disorders (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.25–4.79). Conclusions The determinants of a drug-related ED visit at a teaching hospital are multifactorial. Interventions to prevent future occurrences should focus on those patients at risk.