Risk factors associated with drug-related problems in hospitalised paediatric nephrology patients

Abstract

Aim/Objective: To determine the potential risk factors for the occurrence of drug—related problems (DRPs) in hospitalised paediatric nephrology patients. Methods: A prospective cohort study conducted in two paediatric nephrology wards over a ten-month period from December 2011 to September 2012. Inclusion criteria were all children aged 18 years and younger, received at least one drug throughout hospitalisation and given for more than 24 hours. DRPs were identifi ed by clinical pharmacists during ward rounds and discussion with the medical team. Patients’ characteristics and the nature of DRPs were documented into a specifi c proforma. The risk factors were tested for age, gender, length of hospital stay, number of drugs prescribed and types of renal replacement therapy using multivariate logistic regression at patient level. A p values less than 0.05 were considered statistically signifi cant. Results: A total of 171 patients were recruited of which 132 were included in the analysis. The multivariate modelling showed that only numbers of drug prescribed were signifi cantly associated with the occurrence of DRP (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.00-1.09, p=0.024). Conclusion: Whilst many factors may be associated with drug related problems in children and their associations may be cumulative and interdependent, the only independent predictor for the occurrence of DRPs in hospitalised paediatric nephrology patients is the greater number of drugs prescribed.