Abstract
Background
Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) pose significant risks to patient safety, particularly in tertiary care settings characterized by polypharmacy and multiple comorbidities. Monitoring and evaluating ADRs is vital to improving therapeutic outcomes and minimizing harm.
Objective
This study aimed to assess the pattern, severity, predictability, seriousness, and causality of ADRs reported in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Belagavi, India.
Methods
A prospective observational study was conducted on 2035 spontaneously reported ADRs collected between January and December 2024 at the Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Centre under the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI). Data were analyzed using the WHO-UMC causality assessment, Hartwig and Siegel severity scale, and standard classifications for seriousness and predictability.
Results
Adults (60.54%) and elderly (24.67%) were most frequently affected. Gastrointestinal disorders (23.91%) were the most commonly reported System Organ Class (SOC). Most ADRs were predictable (87.81%) and probable in causality (67.91%). Severe ADRs accounted for 15.97%. Vomiting and headache were the most reported adverse events. Antiretroviral were the most commonly implicated drug class.
Conclusion
The majority of ADRs were predictable and involved widely used drug classes. Strengthening pharmacovigilance practices and implementing targeted clinical interventions are essential to prevent avoidable ADRs and improve patient safety.
Keywords
Introduction
Medications are developed to alleviate symptoms, treat diseases, and improve overall patient health. However, they can also lead to unintended and harmful effects known as adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The World Health Organization (WHO) defines an ADR as “a response to a drug that is noxious and unintended and occurs at doses normally used in humans for prophylaxis, diagnosis, or therapy of disease, or for the modification of physiological function.” 1
In hospital settings, especially tertiary care centers, the occurrence of ADRs is relatively common. This is often attributed to the complexity of underlying conditions, polypharmacy, drug-drug interactions, and occasional clinical oversight. 2 These reactions not only compromise patient safety but also contribute to morbidity, occasional mortality, and increase the economic burden on healthcare systems and patients.
To address this concern globally, the WHO initiated a pharmacovigilance program, aimed at ensuring medication safety through the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of ADRs. The program encourages rational drug use, strengthens public health safety, and supports cost-effective prescribing practices across more than 65 countries. 3 In alignment with these goals, our tertiary care teaching hospital has established an Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Centre (AMC) which is actively involved in recording and reporting suspected ADRs.
Despite ongoing pharmacovigilance initiatives, underreporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) remains a significant barrier to effective drug safety monitoring. Various factors contribute to this, including the prioritization of immediate patient care by physicians, particularly in high-intensity units like intensive care units (ICUs), where the identification of ADRs becomes even more challenging. 4 In India, adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting remains below 1%, significantly lower than the global average of 5%, largely due to limited awareness of pharmacovigilance among healthcare professionals and patients. Although the spontaneous reporting system is a widely used tool for post-marketing surveillance and plays a crucial role in detecting ADRs in everyday clinical settings, it is hindered by substantial underreporting and a lack of precise data on patient exposure to suspected medications. 5
In light of these challenges, there is a pressing need to systematically analyze the adverse drug reactions documented by our AMC. This study aims to evaluate the causality, severity, predictability, and preventability of these events in a tertiary care teaching hospital. The insights gained are expected to strengthen ADR detection strategies, foster a culture of reporting among healthcare professionals, and ultimately enhance patient safety outcomes.
Materials and methods
A prospective observational study was conducted at the AMC of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Belagavi. All spontaneously reported ADRs between January and December 2024 were included. Ethical approval was obtained from Institutional Ethics Committee (Ref. No. KLECOPBGMEC D028-2024). Data access and analysis were approved by the PvPI Coordinator.
The ADR reports were collected by the Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Centre (AMC) under the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI). The reports include detailed patient information such as demographics, medical history, pre-existing conditions, relevant laboratory investigations, and prior drug allergies. Comprehensive drug histories were obtained, encompassing suspected and concomitant medications, dosage, route of administration, indication, and any previous history of drug allergies. Details regarding the management and treatment of the reported ADRs were also documented. Absolute anonymity was maintained throughout the study to protect the identities of both patients and reporters.
ADRs were assessed using the following: • WHO-UMC criteria for causality. • Hartwig and Siegel scale for severity. • Classification into serious/non-serious and Type A/B predictability.
Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics.
Results
Demographics details.
Assessment of ADRs by severity, predictability, seriousness, causality, action taken, and outcomes.
Causality assessment using the WHO-UMC scale indicated that 91 ADRs (4.47%) were certain, 1382 (67.91%) were probable, and 562 (27.62%) were possible. In response to ADRs, 945 drugs (46.44%) were withdrawn, 646 (31.74%) were continued without dose change, 97 (4.77%) had a dose reduction, 6 (0.29%) had a dose increase, and 327 (16.07%) were marked as not applicable. In 14 cases (0.69%), the action taken was unknown. Regarding patient outcomes, 988 cases (48.55%) were recovering at the time of reporting, 697 (34.25%) had fully recovered, 316 (15.53%) had not recovered, 3 (0.15%) resolved with sequelae, and 31 (1.52%) had unknown outcomes.
System Organ Class (SOC)–wise distribution of reported ADRs.
Most frequently reported adverse events.
Suspected drugs associated with reported ADRs.
A focused analysis indicated that antiretrovirals were most associated with gastrointestinal ADRs, particularly vomiting and diarrhea. Antibiotics were linked to dermatological reactions such as rash and pruritus, while corticosteroids and CNS agents showed associations with metabolic and neurological ADRs, respectively. Such associations can guide pre-emptive patient counseling, monitoring and adding a supportive therapy to treat the reactions accordingly. Although, not every reaction may require further pharmacovigilance action unless serious or unexpected.
Discussion
In the present study, a slight male predominance was observed, with 51.91% of ADRs reported in males compared to 48.09% in females, reflecting a male-to-female ratio of approximately 1.08. This finding is consistent with the study by Bhattacharjee et al., who also reported a higher percentage of ADRs in males (65.96%) than in females (34.04%), with a male-to-female ratio of 1.94, indicating a general trend of increased ADR reporting in males. 6
Age-wise distribution in our study revealed that adults constituted the majority of ADR reports (60.54%), followed by elderly patients aged above 60 years (24.67%). These findings are broadly consistent with those of Amita Jindal et al., who reported a higher proportion of ADRs in adults aged 31–60 years (63%), while infants and those above 75 years constituted a smaller percentage. This similarity supports the notion that ADR prevalence increases with age, particularly in adults and the elderly, possibly due to polypharmacy and comorbidities. 7
In the present study, causality assessment using the WHO-UMC scale revealed that the majority of ADRs were classified as probable (67.93%), followed by possible (27.61%) and certain (4.47%). These findings are consistent with those of Jayanthi et al., who reported a similar trend with probable ADRs accounting for 61.0% and possible for 39.0%. In contrast, Leena Anthony et al. observed a higher proportion of possible ADRs (60.0%) and a lower percentage of probable cases (35.0%), reflecting variability in causality assessment outcomes across different study settings and populations.8,9
With respect to predictability, 87.85% of the ADRs in the present study were classified as predictable (Type A), aligning with findings by Kishore Babu et al., who reported that Type A reactions constituted 76.6% of the total ADRs. These results suggest that the majority of adverse reactions are dose-related and potentially preventable through appropriate monitoring and dosage adjustments. 10 When comparing the severity distribution, our study found mild ADRs in 44.91%, moderate in 39.12%, and severe in 15.97% of cases. In comparison, the study by Meda Venkatasubbaiah et al. reported a higher proportion of mild ADRs (55.12%), similar moderate ADRs (39.76%), but significantly fewer severe ADRs (5.12%), possibly reflecting differences in patient comorbidities or drug utilization patterns. 11
Regarding seriousness, our study reported that 15.97% of ADRs were classified as serious based on WHO-UMC criteria. This is lower than the combined serious outcomes reported by Meda Venkatasubbaiah et al., where 27.95% required hospitalization, 1.57% were life-threatening, 31.89% required intervention to prevent permanent damage, and 0.39% resulted in death. This indicates that while the incidence of serious ADRs in our cohort is notable, it may still be relatively lower than in some other studies. 11
In the present study, gastrointestinal disorders emerged as the most commonly affected System Organ Class (SOC), accounting for 23.91% of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), followed by nervous system disorders (13.25%), skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders (11.76%), and general disorders and administration site conditions (10.06%). These findings are consistent with those of Gomathi et al., who also identified gastrointestinal disorders as the predominant SOC. Similarly, Menglin He et al., in their analysis of the FAERS (FDA Adverse Event Reporting System) database, reported gastrointestinal disorders as the most frequent SOC (30.63%). However, in contrast to our study, their findings showed a markedly lower incidence of nervous system disorders (1.25%). This variation may be attributed to differences in drug utilization patterns, demographic profiles, or the robustness of ADR reporting systems across populations.12,13
In our study, anti-infective agents were the most commonly implicated class, particularly antiretrovirals and antibiotics, followed by corticosteroids (e.g., Dexamethasone and Prednisolone), cardiovascular drugs (e.g., Furosemide and Ticagrelor), and CNS agents (e.g., tramadol and risperidone). These findings are consistent with those of M.I. Geer et al., who reported anti-infectives (40.92%), steroids (14.03%), anticoagulants (8.77%), and NSAIDs (7.89%) as leading causes of ADR-related admissions. 14
In our study, the most frequently reported adverse events included vomiting (138), headache (125), diarrhea (117), constipation (101), and rash (81). These findings highlight the predominance of gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms, which are commonly associated with a wide range of medications. Notably, dermatological reactions such as rash and pruritus were also frequent, aligning with the observations by Santhosh Kumar Raju et al., who reported itching, rashes, and erythematous eruptions as the most common presentations, primarily associated with antibiotics and NSAIDs. The overlap in skin-related ADRs across both studies reinforces the need for careful monitoring of hypersensitivity reactions, particularly with commonly prescribed antimicrobials and analgesics. 15
While underreporting remains a critical issue in pharmacovigilance in India, Worakunphanich et al. observed that countries with higher patient ADR reporting rates often implement supportive measures such as feedback mechanisms, collaboration with patient organizations, and public awareness campaigns. These strategies not only encourage patient participation but also strengthen the overall national pharmacovigilance systems. 16
Similarly Menang et al. highlighted that education should be embedded within a broader, system-oriented framework that includes capacity building for advanced Pharmacovigilance functions include signal detection, risk communication, and active surveillance mechanisms. Interventions combining education with mobile-based reporting tools, national safety committees, electronic data systems, and institutional policies have shown greater sustainability and impact on ADR reporting rates and data quality. 17
To conclude, our study offers valuable insights into the patterns, severity, and causality of adverse drug reactions within a tertiary care hospital setting. The findings underscore the importance of active pharmacovigilance, particularly in adult and elderly populations who are more susceptible to ADRs due to polypharmacy and comorbid conditions. The predominance of predictable and preventable Type A reactions highlights the critical role of healthcare professionals, especially clinical pharmacists, in early detection, risk mitigation, and patient education, as highlighted by Menang et al. 17 The identification of high-risk drug classes-such as anti-infectives, corticosteroids, and CNS agents provides actionable data to guide safer prescribing practices. This study contributes to enhancing patient safety, optimizing therapeutic outcomes, and promoting the rational use of medicines in clinical practice by highlighting the most commonly affected system organ classes and the nature of frequently reported ADRs.
Conclusion
This study underscores the critical role of systematic pharmacovigilance in enhancing medication safety within a tertiary care hospital. By documenting and analyzing adverse drug reactions (ADRs), the findings contribute to a better understanding of drug-related risks in clinical practice and highlight the importance of monitoring programs in routine healthcare settings. The results provide a practical reference for clinicians to identify patterns of ADRs and adopt preventive strategies to improve patient outcomes.
Future directions
Future research should focus on the integration of multicenter studies involving diverse populations to improve the external validity of results and identify geographical variations in ADR profiles and should encourage the differentiation of labeled versus novel ADRs. Additionally, periodic training and capacity-building initiatives for healthcare providers-especially targeting early detection and reporting-can further strengthen the pharmacovigilance infrastructure.
Economic analyses evaluating the cost burden of ADR-related hospitalizations and interventions would also be valuable to inform hospital policies and national drug safety strategies. Overall, sustained efforts toward strengthening pharmacovigilance at the institutional and policy levels are essential to ensure safer prescribing practices and to uphold patient safety as a cornerstone of healthcare delivery.
Supplemental Material
Supplemental Material - From reaction to reporting: Impact of pharmacovigilance in a tertiary care hospital setting at Belagavi
Supplemental Material for From reaction to reporting: Impact of pharmacovigilance in a tertiary care hospital setting at Belagavi by Pratiksha Kini, Mandati Santhosh Reddy, and MS Ganachari in International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine
Footnotes
Acknowledgments
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Principals of KLE College of Pharmacy, Belagavi and J N Medical college, Belagavi, Head of the Department and all faculty members of Pharmacy Practice, Superintendent of KLE’s Dr Prabhakar Kore Charitable Hospital, Belagavi; and Medical Director of KLE’s Dr Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belagavi, for their continuous support and encouragement throughout the course of this study. We also thank the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, for their valuable guidance and support in facilitating this research.
Ethical considerations
Prior Institutional Ethics Committee approval was obtained (KLECOPBGMEC D028-2024) before initiating the study.
Funding
The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Declaration of conflicting interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
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Appendix
References
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