DRUG-ASSOCIATED ADMISSIONS TO A DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN SAUDI-ARABIA

Background: The modernization and expansion of the health system in th e Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has led to the wide availability of drugs an d with it a potential for their misuse. Aim: To study drug-associated admission to a district hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with r egard to pattern, demographic characteristics of patients and outcome. Patients and Methods: A prospective study between 1992 and 1994 of dr ug-related admissions to the medical wards of a referral district hosp ital in Abha, southern Saudi Arabia. Results: One hundred and six pati ents were studied, 50 with drug overdose (OD, group A) and 56 with oth er adverse drug reactions (group B). Those with OD were younger and pr edominantly female. Analgesics, especially mefenamic acid and psychotr opic drugs, were the most common causes of OD. Family disputes in fema les and psychiatric illnesses in males were the main risk factors for overdose. In group B, the most common adverse drug reactions were uppe r gastrointestinal bleeding and hepatic injury caused by NSAIDs. The o verall mortality was 3.8%. Conclusions: Although drug-related problems constitute a minor problem in Saudi Arabia, there is a potential for their increase in the future. Overall mortality was higher than in oth er countries. Doctors should be alerted and hospitals should be ready to deal with this problem in Saudi Arabia, from both a medical and soc ial point of view.