Abstract
Objectives: The objective of this study was to study the predictors of adverse drug reactions
(ADRs) among geriatric patients in the Department of Medical Oncology. Methods: A hospital-based prospective observational study was carried out among 153 inpatients
in the Department of Medical Oncology for 6 months. Patients above 60 years of age
with a confirmed history of malignancy were included in the study. The potential risk
factors for ADR were defined in relation to the patient and chemotherapeutic regimen
and relationship between them was assessed by univariate and multivariate logistic
regression analysis. Results: Among 153 patients, 94 (64.43%) experienced ADRs. The mean ADR per patient was 0.88
± 1.2. The common ADRs found were alopecia (30.18%) and diarrhea (28.68%). Risk estimates
revealed that there was a significant association between smokers (odds ratio [OR]
= 10.326; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.345–45.47, P = 0.001), alcoholics (OR = 10.897;
95% CI 2.479–47.902, P = 0.001), increasing age (OR = 2.22; 95% CI 1.698–2.909, P = 0.001), overweight (OR = 16.68; 95% CI 2.179–127.741, P = 0.001), and male participants (OR = 0.143; 95% CI 0.05–0.390 P = 0.001) with the development of ADRs. The risk of carboplatin (OR = 13.359; 95%
CI 3.056–58.406 P = 0.001) and 5-fluorouracil (OR = 1.938 95% CI 1.266–2.935 P = 0.001) use and occurrence of ADRs were also found to be high. Conclusion: The study
findings showed that smoking, alcohol consumption, age more than 70 years, and overweight
had a high risk for developing ADRs in geriatric patients who underwent chemotherapy.
The independent risk factors identified should be targeted for preventive measures
to improve anticancer agent prescription and reduce the risk of ADRs.
Key words
Adverse drug reactions - cancer - chemotherapy - geriatrics - predictors
