Potential drug–drug interactions and associated factors among hospitalized cardiac patients at Jimma University Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Concomitant use of several drugs for a patient is often imposing increased risk of drug–drug interactions. Drug–drug interactions are a major cause for concern in patients with cardiovascular disorders due to multiple co-existing conditions and the wide class of drugs they receive. This study is aimed to assess the prevalence of potential drug–drug interactions and associated factors among hospitalized cardiac patients at medical wards of Jimma University Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted among hospitalized cardiac adult patients based on the inclusion criteria. Patient-specific data were collected using structured data collection tool. Potential drug–drug interaction was analyzed using Micromedex 3.0 DRUG-REAX(®) System. Data were analyzed using statistical software package, version 20.0. To identify the independent predictors of potential drug–drug interaction, multiple stepwise backward logistic regression analysis was done. Statistical significance was considered at a p-value < 0.05. Written informed consent from patients was obtained and the patients were informed about confidentiality of the information obtained. RESULTS: Of the total 200 patients, majority were male (52.50%) and with a mean(±standard deviation) age of 42.54(±7.89) years. Out of 673 patients’ prescriptions analyzed, 521 prescriptions comprised potential drug interactions and it was found that 967 drug interactions were present. The prevalence rate of potential drug–drug interactions among the study unit was 4.83 per patient and 1.44 per prescription regardless of the severity during their hospital stay. Overall the prevalence rate of potential drug interactions was 74.41%. Older age (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.067 (2.33–27.12), p = 0.049), long hospital stay (⩾7 days) (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 2.80 (1.71–4.61), p = 0.024), and polypharmacy (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.64 (0.66–4.11), p = 0.041) were independent predictors for the occurrence of potential drug–drug interactions. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a high prevalence of potential DIs among hospitalized cardiac patients in medical wards due to the complexity of pharmacotherapy. The prevalence rate is directly related to age, number of prescribed drugs, and length of hospital stay. Pharmacodynamic drug–drug interaction was the common mechanism of drug–drug interactions. Therefore, close monitoring of hospitalized patients is highly recommended.