COPD Patients Have Higher Risk for Adverse Drug Reactions

According to a recent study in BMJ Open, patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are at a greater risk for adverse drug reactions, especially if they have comorbid chronic conditions.

The study, “Examining patterns of multimorbidity, polypharmacy and risk of adverse drug reactions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” looked at how patients with multimorbidity are impacted by polypharmacy. The researchers used UK Biobank, a UK data source, to study patients with comorbid conditions who are prescribed drugs for each of those conditions.

Study results showed that patients with COPD, are more likely to be prescribed multiple medications, and therefore at higher risk for adverse effects of drugs. These effects include things like falls, bleeding, kidney damage, constipation, urinary retention, and drowsiness.

“Our work shows that coprescription of drugs with the potential for various adverse drug reactions is common,” Peter Hanlon, MBChB, clinical lecturer in general practice and primary care, at the University of Glasgow’s Institute of Health & Wellbeing, said in a press release.

The researchers noted that most high-risk medications prescribed to patients with COPD, were to treat conditions other than their COPD. Additionally, having more than 1 chronic illness increased the risk of high-risk polypharmacy among patients with COPD.

 “Our findings are important because it highlights the need for future research to examine the effects of this on healthcare outcomes,” Frances Mair, co-author and professor at the University of Glasgow’s Institute of Health & Wellbeing, said in the press release. “Going forward clinical guidelines need to start emphasizing the importance of the assessment of multimorbidity and adverse drug reaction risk.”

—David Costill

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