Evaluation of Potential Drug-Drug Interactions among Patients of the Nephrology and Kidney Transplant Wards of a Major Teaching Hospital in Iran

Aims: This study was aimed to find the prevalence of potential DDIs in patients and identify factors associated with these interactions. Study design:  All patients' medication regimens were screened for potential DDIs through Lexi-Interact® Online application. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted for five months in 2017-2018 at the nephrology and kidney transplant ward of Razi hospital, Rasht, Iran. Methodology: Each potential DDI was characterized based on severity, onset, mechanism, risk rating and reliability rating.  The patient's comorbidity was assessed with the Charlson comorbidity index. The quality of patients' life was assessed with the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Instrument-SF36TM questionnaire. Results: The study included 191 patients (109 [57.07%] males and 82 [42.93%] females) with a mean age of 58.09 ± 17.76 years. The analysis revealed that 29.4 % of potential DDIs had good and 13.5% had excellent evidence. There was a statistically significant association among the number of prescribed medications (polypharmacy), hospital ward, age, Body Mass Index, education, history of drug addiction, length of hospitalization, dyslipidemia, and hypothyroidism. Conclusion Potential DDIs are common in patients of the nephrology and kidney transplant wards, so proper patient monitoring is essential for minimizing and preventing potential adverse outcomes of DDIs.