DRUG-USE IN PREGNANCY - A COMPARATIVE APPRAISAL OF DATA COLLECTING METHODS

We have compared the reliability of the information about drug therapy and pregnancy retrieved by interviewing patients with that distilled from pharmacy records. In the initial phase of each interview we used the internationally accepted open-ended technique, and extended this w ith an indication-oriented set of questions and then a set of specific drug-oriented questions. These data were then compared with those fro m pharmacy records on dispensing for the same patients during their pr egnancy. The results suggest that if drug consumption during pregnancy is evaluated by interview, one should not restrict oneself to open-en ded questions but should include indication-oriented and, when appropr iate, drug-oriented questions. Such specific questions offer the oppor tunity of detecting the use of over-the-counter medication and of cons tructing drug use/complaint profiles. By contrast, pharmacy records wi ll give better information in case of long recall periods and in patie nts with multiple and/or repeated drug use. Investigators should use t he complementary elements of both techniques where appropriate.