Epidemiology of drug-related deaths in European hospitals : A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Montané Esteva, Eva (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Farmacologia, de Terapèutica i de Toxicologia)
Castells Cervello, Xavier (Universitat de Girona. Departament de Ciències Mèdiques)

Date:	2021
Abstract:	Aims: To perform a systematic review of observational studies on the epidemiology of drug-related death (DRD) in patients requiring hospitalisation or while hospitalised (hospital-acquired DRD). Methods: We conducted a systematic review of observational studies investigating the occurrence rate of DRD episodes among deceased inpatients. Two independent researchers assessed eligibility criteria, extracted data and evaluated the risk of bias. Both quality assessment and meta-analysis were performed. Results: From 1351 identified potential studies, 6 retrospective studies were included. DRD occurrences rates were 7. 3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 4. 1-12. 5) among deceased inpatients and 0. 13% (95% CI 0. 04-0. 40) among hospitalised patients. During hospitalisation, acquired-DRD represented 2. 7% (95% CI 1. 0-6. 9) of inpatient deaths and occurred in 0. 05% (95% CI 0. 01-0. 23) of hospitalised patients. However, these estimates have to be viewed with caution because there was significant heterogeneity (I2 > 97%). None of the studies were considered to be at high risk of bias according to the criteria of the NIH Quality Assessment Tool. The most common adverse drug reactions related to death were haemorrhages due to antithrombotic drugs (39%, 95% CI 26. 5-53. 2) and infections in drug-immunosuppressed patients (27. 5%, 95% CI 16. 7-41. 7). Conclusion: We found that the DRD occurrence rate of deceased hospital inpatients has been infrequently studied in Europe. Our findings suggest that drugs are an important cause of death in hospitals. The limited number of studies in European countries stresses the need for more research in this area.
Note:	ANECA
Note:	We would like to thank the authors of the included studies: Professor Pertti Neuvonen and Dr Outi Lapatto-Reiniluoto from Finland, Dr Puche from Spain, and Dr Grévy from France for their help providing the lacking study data. The authors sincerely appreciate the help of Alethea Charlton for reviewing the language of this manuscript. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Rights:	Tots els drets reservats.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Ressenya ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Subject:	Adverse drug reaction ; Hospital mortality ; Incidence/prevalence ; Epidemiology ; Meta-analysis ; Observational studies
Published in:	British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Vol. 87 Núm. 10 (october 2021) , p. 3659-3671, ISSN 1365-2125

DOI: 10.1111/bcp.14799

25 p, 1.1 MB

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