Table 2 Demographic and drug-related patient characteristics (n = 356). Values are reported in number (n) and %, unless otherwise specified
Variable | n (%) | ≥ 1 DRP n (%) | 0 DRPs n (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
Emergency department visits | 356 (100) | 270 (76) | 86 (24) |
Age, mean (SD) | 83 (6.8) | 83 (6.8) | 82 (6.5) |
Sex | |||
Male | 139 (39) | 105 (39) | 34 (40) |
Female | 217 (61) | 165 (61) | 52 (60) |
Number of drugs per patient, mean (SD) | 8 (4.7) | 9 (4.5) | 5 (4.0) |
Polypharmacy | 158 (45) | 127 (47) | 31 (36) |
Cause of emergency department visit | |||
Bleeding | 14 (3.9) | 13 (4.8) | 1 (1.2) |
Vomit/diarrhea | 7 (2.0) | 6 (2.2) | 1 (1.2) |
Collapse/hypotension/vertigo | 9 (2.5) | 9 (3.3) | 0 |
Delirium/confused/drowsy | 11(3.1) | 11 (4.1) | 0 |
Electrolyte disturbances/dehydration | 7 (2.0) | 6 (2.2) | 1 (1.2) |
Fracture/fall | 192 (54) | 142 (53) | 50 (58) |
Heart failure | 1 (0.3) | 0 (0) | 1 (1.2) |
Kidney failure | 1 (0.3) | 1 (0.4) | 0 |
Obstipation/ileus | 2 (0.6) | 2 (0.7) | 0 |
Disrupted blood glucose levels | 2 (0.6) | 2 (0.7) | 0 |
Other | 110 (31) | 78 (29) | 32 (37) |
Hospital admission | |||
Yes | 233 (66) | 181 (67) | 52 (60) |
No | 123 (35) | 89 (33) | 34 (40) |
Number of DRPs | 1.5 (1.3) | 2.0 (1.1) | NA |
No DRP | 86 (24) | NA | NA |
1 DRP | 104 (29) | 104 (38) | NA |
2 DRPs | 95 (27) | 95 (36) | NA |
≥ 3 DRPs | 71 (20) | 71 (26) | NA |