Contribution of adverse drug reaction to admission rates in an acute psychiatric ward

The relative contribution of adverse drug reactions (ADR) to the admission rate of an acute psychiatric ward was examined prospectively. Among 321 patients hospitalized over a period of 17 months, adverse drug reactions were the main cause for hospitalization in 7.5%. Extrapyramidal side effects - mainly resistant akathisia - account for half of these patients. The population at high risk was that of the elderly and those suffering from organic brain syndromes.