Abstract
This study aimed to identify the frequency, levels, predictors and clinical consequences of potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) among 400 hospitalized patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Micromedex Drug-Reax (R) was used for identification of pDDIs. Overall-prevalence of pDDIs was 95.5%, while moderate- and major-pDDIs were identified in 91.5% and 90.5% patients, respectively. Total 2757 pDDIs were identified, of which, 49.8% were major-pDDIs and 47.4% were moderate-pDDIs. Univariate logistic-regression showed significant risk in female for >5 pDDIs (p = 0.013), >3 major-severity pDDIs (p < 0.001) and increasing hospital-stay (p < 0.001). However, multivariate logistic-regression showed significant risk of > 5 pDDIs and > 3 major-pDDIs with increasing prescribed medicines (p < 0.001). The most frequent adverse outcomes of pDDIs were chest pain (n = 81), shortness of breath (61), raised jugular pressure (34), edema (26) and hypotension (24). The study concluded that the prevalence of pDDIs was considerably high in CAD patients that warrants close monitoring for their prevention and management.