1Research Scholar, Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation, VMCOP, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India, 636008
2*Professor and HOD, Department of Pharmaceutics, Vinayaka Mission's College of Pharmacy (VMCOP), Salem, Tamil Nadu, India, 636008 (Corresponding Author; M.Pharm, PhD)
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: (Graphical abstract content not provided)
Background: Drug-related problems have a significant influence on clinical outcomes and can cause unexpected healthcare burden. The adverse drug reactions (ADRs) increase the incidents that have a negative influence on drug-related complications. Pharmacists play a critical role in mitigating such risks associated with ADRs.
Objectives: To analyse the patterns of ADRs and their severity among elderly inpatients and to evaluate the outcome of pharmacist intervention using the CLEO tool.
Methods: A prospective interventional study was conducted among 365 inpatients aged 60 years and above. Patients admitted to clinical oncology, palliative care, organ transplantation and intensive care units were excluded. The ADRs were reported, and causality and severity were assessed using the Naranjo algorithm and the WHO-UMC criteria. The data were documented using Microsoft Excel 2007 and statistically analysed. Pharmacist-led interventions were provided and evaluated using the CLEO Tool.
Results: Among 365 elderly inpatients, the incidence of ADRs was 31%. The clinical manifestations of most reactions were haematological abnormalities (21%). In causality assessment, the majority of reactions (50.4%) showed a possible association with the suspected medication (p = 004) and were of moderate severity (45.1%). CLEO scoring of Pharmacist-led interventions reflected 62% clinical impact (p=0.01), 47% economic outcomes (p=0.04), and 34% organizational improvements.
Conclusion: There was a higher incidence of ADRs among elderly patients, showing a significant association with the suspected drug. Also, the severity of most of these ADRs was moderate. Based on these observations, it was concluded that interventions offered by pharmacists resulted in better detection and handling of ADRs among elderly inpatients.
Keywords: Adverse Drug Reactions, Elderly patients, Causality, Severity, CLEO tool
How to cite this article: Soumya MK, Chandira RM. A Prospective Study of Adverse Drug Reaction Severity and Pharmacist Intervention Outcomes in Hospitalized Elderly Patients. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(13s): 779-790. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.13s.84.
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None