Hospital admissions due to adverse drug reactions: a comparative study from Jerusalem and Berlin.

A comparative study of adverse drug reactions (ADR) leading to hostpial admission showed that 103 (4.1%) out of 2499 medical admissions in Jerusalem and 167 (5.7%) out of 2933 admissions in Berlin were due to such reactions. Sex distribution in the two patient--populations was almost equal but the Jerusalem patients were younger. The most frequent ADRs were digitalis intoxication (in Berlin) and reactions to antibiotics (in Jerusalem). Other important differences were noted in the relative frequencies of ADRs associated anticoagulants, hypoglycemic agents and oral contraceptives. They were probably related to differences in drug usage in the two countries. The most common major side effects were arrhythmias, allergic reactions, bleeding, congestive heart failure, bronchospasm and hypoglycemia. The following risk factors were identified in both cities: old age, female sex, impaired renal function, previous history of ADR and polypragmasia.