Evaluation of Potential Adverse Drug Events in Oncology Patients
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Date
2015-06-25
Authors
Rawan Abu Baker
Heba Rasheed
Majd Hindi
Eman Aburesh
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Abstract
Background: Cancer is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in Palestine. The use of cancer chemotherapeutic drugs is associated with several Adverse Drug Events (ADE) ranging from a mild nausea to fatal myelosuppression.
Objectives: The aims of this study were to find the prevalence of potential ADE in patients with cancer diseases, what these ADE are and the rates of the most common ADE.
Methodology:This was a cross-sectional study that was conducted in three major outpatient clinics for oncology and hemoatology patients in Palestine; (An-Najah National University Hospital, Al-Watani Governmental Hospital / Nablus and Beit Jala Hospital/ Beit Jala). Files of patients who were prescribed chemotherapy were reviewed in addition to a face to face questionnaire. The results were analyzed using Statistical Package for social sciences (SPSS) program.
Results: The study included 400 patients. The average age (± SD) of the patient was 51.59 ±1.49 years, and the maximum age was 90 years. The majority 268 (67.0%) were females. Dexamethasone, metoclipramide, cyclophosphamide, gemcitabine, doxorubicin, capecetabine and paclitaxel were the most common medications. All patients had at least one ADE. The mean number of reported potential ADE was 12.3 ±4.5 (range 1-23). Most patients 361(90.2%) suffered from fatigue, 324 (81.0%) had pain, followed by taste disturbances in 292 (73.0%) patients, myelosuppression in 285 (71.2%) cases and alopecia in 277 (69.2%)
Conclusion:Potential ADE are very common among cancer patients on chemotherapy. Many of these ADE are major so screening for potential ADE should take place routinely before administering chemotherapy. Physicians and pharmacists should be more aware of these potential ADE and further research is required to optimize patient outcomes. Also steps should be taken to minimize the incidence of these side effects.