TY - JOUR

T1 - Risk factors for potential drug interactions in general practice

AU - Bjerrum, Lars

AU - Gonzalez Lopez-Valcarcel, Beatriz

AU - Petersen, Gert

PY - 2008

Y1 - 2008

N2 - Objective: To identify patient- and practice-related factors associated with potential drug interactions. Methods: A register analysis study in general practices in the county of Funen, Denmark. Prescription data were retrieved from a population-based prescription database (Odense University Pharmacoepidemiologic Database, OPED) covering prescriptions to all inhabitants in the county of Funen, Denmark. All individuals exposed to concurrent use of two or more drugs (polypharmacy) were identified. Combinations of drugs with potential interactions were registered and classified as major, moderate, or minor, depending on the severity of outcome and the quality of documentation. A two-level random coefficient logistic regression model was used to investigate factors related to potential drug interactions. Results: One-third of the population was exposed to polypharmacy, and 6% were exposed to potential drug interactions during 1 year. Patient factors associated with increased risk of potential drug interactions were high age, a high number of concurrently used drugs, and a high number of prescribers. Practice factors associated with potential drug interactions were a high percentage of elderly patients and a low percentage of female patients listed. Conclusion: Prescription data may be useful in quality-improvement programmes to identify groups of patients and practices at increased risk of drug interactions.

AB - Objective: To identify patient- and practice-related factors associated with potential drug interactions. Methods: A register analysis study in general practices in the county of Funen, Denmark. Prescription data were retrieved from a population-based prescription database (Odense University Pharmacoepidemiologic Database, OPED) covering prescriptions to all inhabitants in the county of Funen, Denmark. All individuals exposed to concurrent use of two or more drugs (polypharmacy) were identified. Combinations of drugs with potential interactions were registered and classified as major, moderate, or minor, depending on the severity of outcome and the quality of documentation. A two-level random coefficient logistic regression model was used to investigate factors related to potential drug interactions. Results: One-third of the population was exposed to polypharmacy, and 6% were exposed to potential drug interactions during 1 year. Patient factors associated with increased risk of potential drug interactions were high age, a high number of concurrently used drugs, and a high number of prescribers. Practice factors associated with potential drug interactions were a high percentage of elderly patients and a low percentage of female patients listed. Conclusion: Prescription data may be useful in quality-improvement programmes to identify groups of patients and practices at increased risk of drug interactions.

U2 - 10.1080/13814780701815116

DO - 10.1080/13814780701815116

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 18464169

VL - 14

SP - 23

EP - 29

JO - European Journal of General Practice

JF - European Journal of General Practice

SN - 1381-4788

IS - 1

ER -