Assessing Potential Risk of Drugs: The Elusive Target
Authors: Judith K. Jones
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1992)

Editorials15 October 1992Assessing Potential Risk of Drugs: The Elusive TargetJudith K. Jones, MD, PhDJudith K. Jones, MD, PhDSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-117-8-691 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptMultiple drug use has been consistently associated with increased risk of adverse drug reactions in the elderly. However, the complex interaction of pharmacologic and patient risk factors makes it exceedingly difficult to assess the risk of any drug. A missing ingredient is reliable data on drug exposure and events. One solution is the computerized medical record, which has the potential for more complete data collection and may offer immediate feedback to the prescriber.The two articles on drug prescribing and potential adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in the elderly, published in this issue of theAnnals(1, 2), add to the...References1. Chrischilles E, Segar E, and Wallace R. Self-reported adverse drug reactions and related resource utilization among community-dwelling persons age 65 and over. Ann Intern Med. 1992;117:634-40. LinkGoogle Scholar2. Beers M, Ouslander J, Fingold S, Morganstern H, Reuben D, and Rogers W. Inappropriate medication prescribing in skilled-nursing facilities. Ann Intern Med. 1992;117:684-9. LinkGoogle Scholar3. Burke L, Jolson H, Goetsch R, and Ahronheim J. Geriatric drug use and adverse drug event reporting in 1990: descriptive analysis of two national data bases. In: Annual Review of Gerontology and Geriatrics, New York: Springer Publishing Co.; 1992 [In press]. Google Scholar4. Cadieux R. Drug Interactions in the elderly. How multiple drug use increases risk exponentially. Postgrad Med. 1989;86:179-86. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Avorn J. Reporting drug side effects: signals and noise [Editorial]. JAMA. 1990;263:1823. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. Nolan L and O'Malley K. Prescribing for the elderly. Part I: Sensitivity of the elderly to adverse drug reactions. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1988;36:142-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. Gurwitz J and Avorn J. The ambiguous relation between aging and adverse drug reactions. Ann Intern Med. 1991;114:956-66. LinkGoogle Scholar8. Carbonin P, Pahor M, Bernabei R, and Sgadari A. Is age an independent risk factor of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized medical patients? J Am Geriatr Soc. 1991;39:1093-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. Jones J. Adverse drug reactions in the community health setting: approaches to recognizing, counseling and reporting. Family Comm Health. 1982;5:58-67. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. Jones J. Categories of risk and worldwide resources. In: Dinkel R, Horisberger B, Tolo K; eds. Improving Drug Safety: A Joint Responsibility. New York: Springer-Verlag; 1991:65-74. CrossrefGoogle Scholar11. Soumerai B and Avorn J. Predictors of physician prescribing change in an educational experiment to improve medication use. Med Care. 1987;25:210-21. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar12. Jones J. A view from the drug utilization review management organization sector. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1991;50(Suppl):620-55. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar13. Dick R and Steen E; eds. The Computer-based Patient Record: An Essential Technology for Health Care. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 1991. Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Judith K. Jones, MD, PhD PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byPrevalence and predictors of Potentially Inappropriate Psychotropic Medication in older adults with psychiatric illnessPotentially inappropriate medication prescribing in older adults: American geriatric society updated beers criteria journeyA closer look at the 2019 Beers criteriaPrevalence of potentially inappropriate medication and its correlates in elderly hospitalized patients: A cross-sectional study based on Beers criteriaImpact of an interdisciplinary team on drug therapy outcomes in a geriatric clinicDrug complications in outpatientsDrug use in homes for the aged. A comparison between mentally intact and mentally impaired residentsReview and Analysis of the Effects of Olestra, a Dietary Fat Substitute, on Gastrointestinal Function and SymptomsPharmacists as Agents of Change for Rational Drug TherapyRisk/Benefit Assessment of New Drugs: Perspectives of a Former FDA Advisory Committee MemberAdverse drug effectsAntibiotic Agents in Critical Care 15 October 1992Volume 117, Issue 8Page: 691-692KeywordsAdverse reactionsDrug interactionsDrugsElderlyElectronic medical recordsMedical risk factors ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 15 October 1992 PDF downloadLoading ...