Higher Incidence of Adverse Drug Reaction Noted in Women Than in Men

A study of the incidence of adverse drug reactions at Johns Hopkins Hospital revealed a striking correlation between incidence and the sex of the patient, Leighton E. Cluff, MD, told The Journal,

Cluff, professor of medicine, and head, Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, said a recent threemonth survey of about 1,000 patients in the hospital's resident medical service showed a much higher incidence of adverse drug reaction among women than among men.

Women made up only 49% of the study population but accounted for 73% of the adverse drug reactions detected.

Cluff and co-investigator Larry G. Seidl, MD, and George Thornton, MD, epidemic intelligence service officers, US Public Health Service, are preparing a definitive report of their study; among their preliminary findings are the following:

• A total of 20% of the patients action either causing their admission (5%) or occurring while they were in