The Relationship Between Polypharmacy and Potential Drug Interactions in ICU Patients at Al-Ihsan Regional General Hospital 2024
Keywords:
Drug Interactions, Polypharmacy, RSUD Al-IhsanAbstract
Abstract. Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients with critical conditions and comorbidities require complex pharmacological interventions that lead to polypharmacy, thereby increasing the risk of potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs). This study aimed to analyze the correlation between polypharmacy and pDDIs among adult patients in the ICU of Al-Ihsan Regional General Hospital, Bandung. This study utilizes the method of an analytical observational design with a cross-sectional approach, involving 99 medical records from the 2024 period selected through a total sampling technique. Potential drug interactions were identified using the Lexicomp database, and data were analyzed using the Spearman Rank correlation test. The results showed that the majority (46.5%) of patients experienced major polypharmacy (>5 drugs). The prevalence of pDDIs increased with the number of drugs administered, dominated by moderate and major interactions. The highest prevalence was observed in the major polypharmacy group (65%), significantly exceeding the moderate (44%) and minor (17%) groups. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant positive correlation with moderate strength between polypharmacy and pDDIs (r = 0.416; p = 0.000). A crucial finding indicated that even patients receiving 2-3 drugs (minor polypharmacy) remained at risk for major severity pDDIs. It is concluded that an increased degree of polypharmacy correlates significantly with an elevated risk of pDDIs. This underscores the necessity for clinical vigilance across all levels of polypharmacy in the ICU.
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