Vol 4, No 3 (2019)
Research paper
Published online: 2019-10-08

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Risk factors for adverse events in patients administered intravenous tramadol hydrochloride in Emergency Department

Eylem Kuday Kaykısız1, Hatice Onturk2, Lukasz Szarpak3, Burak Katipoğlu4, Semih Korkut5
Disaster Emerg Med J 2019;4(3):92-97.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to assess the adverse events developing in patients treating with intravenous(iv) tramadol to provide moderate to severe pain control in emergency department (ED) and to investigate the association of these adverse events with age, sex and vital signs and to compose a set of rules for the identification of patients in the risk group. 

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, patients older than 18 years, admitted to ED during a 1-year period and administered iv tramadol were included in a secondary care public hospital. Information about age, sex, vital signs and adverse events were recorded. Patients defined as group 1 or group 2 with respect to adverse event development status and the groups were compared in terms of age, sex and vital signs. 

RESULTS: A total of 408 patients were included in the study. Adverse events ratio after treatment was 21.1%. Adverse events were nausea, dizziness and vomiting. The age and the pulse rate per minute of the patients in group 1 were found to be higher and systolic blood pressure (SBP) was found to be lower than the patients in group 2. 

CONCLUSİONS: The risk of adverse events development is higher in patients who are hypotensive, tachycardic and older than 56 years. Multicenter, prospective studies with larger patient groups are needed to support our results.

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