DRUG-INDUCED ADMISSIONS TO MEDICAL WARDS AT JORDAN-UNIVERSITY-HOSPITAL

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of drug-in duced disease necessitating hospital admission to Jordan University Ho spital. This study also attempted to identify the most commonly involv ed drugs as well as the vulnerable groups of patients and the potentia l causes which favor the problem. All admissions to Internal Medicine Department were screened for drug-induced causality by detailed drug h istory and appropriate examination. The prevalence rate of drug-induce d admissions was 3.6%, 52% of them were females. Many of the cases wer e of severe nature. Most of the cases were due to predictable effects of the drugs used, which were mainly chemotherapeutic agents. The bone marrow was the most affected body organ. Results are in agreement wit h reports published elsewhere and can be explained by the fact that Jo rdan University Hospital is the main teaching hospital in Jordan, has an intermediate location and is a referral hospital for oncology-hemat ology service.