Age- and gender-related differences in drug utilisation and adverse drug reaction patterns among patients in a coronary care unit.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to examine age- and gender-related differences in the comorbidities, drug utilisation and adverse drug reaction (ADR) patterns of patients admitted to a coronary care unit (CCU).

METHODS: The present study was a retrospective cohort study. Two trained physicians independently reviewed the case records of CCU patients over a period of one year (Jan-Dec 2008). The demographic, clinical, and drug prescription data of the patients were analysed according to age group (18-59 years vs ≥ 60 years) and gender.

RESULTS: A total of 574 patients were admitted to the CCU during the study period. Of these 574 patients, 65.2% were male, and 48.4% were ≥ 60 years old. No significant gender-based differences were found for the prescription of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular drugs, and ADR patterns (p > 0.05). Male patients aged ≥ 60 years were found to have a higher rate of polypharmacy than those aged 18-59 years (p = 0.001). The duration of hospital stay was longer in male than female patients (p = 0.008), and the duration of CCU stay was longer for male patients aged ≥ 60 years than males aged 18-59 years (p = 0.013). Compared to patients aged 18-59 years, a greater number of patients aged ≥ 60 years were prescribed cardiovascular (p = 0.006) and non-cardiovascular drugs (p = 0.015). Patients aged ≥ 60 years also had a higher rate of polypharmacy (p = 0.001) and ADRs (p = 0.013), and a longer duration of CCU stay (p = 0.013). Renal (p = 0.047) and cutaneous (p = 0.003) ADRs were found to be more common in patients aged ≥ 60 years.

CONCLUSION: No major gender-related differences were observed in the prescription, drug utilisation and ADR patterns of our study cohort. Higher drug utilisation, ADR rates, and longer duration of CCU stay were noted in patients aged ≥ 60 years.