DETECTION OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS RELATED TO ANTICOAGULANT THERAPY IN HOSPITALIZED COVID-19 PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN KASHMIR, INDIA: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Rizwan ul Rashid*, Samina Farhat2 and Khurshid Ahmad Dar

ABSTRACT

Background: Coagulopathy is a potentially fatal complication of the newly discovered SARS-CoV-2 that significantly affects the hematological and hemostatic systems. Initial studies in COVID-19 patients reported lower mortality rates associated with the use of heparin. The most common adverse event related to anticoagulant therapy is bleeding. Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) is associated with less bleeding than Unfractionated Heparin (UFH). Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at Chest Disease Hospital, Government Medical College, Srinagar over one year to assess the adverse drug reactions related to anticoagulant therapy in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Data were collected using a suspected adverse drug reaction form (SADR) and then analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: A total number of 225 patients were included in the study. In our study, 64% were male and 36% were female patients. A total of 5 different anticoagulant-associated ADRs were reported in 67 patients. The most common anticoagulant-related ADRs reported were bruises and areas of induration after subcutaneous heparin injection. Conclusions: As a result of heparin’s wide range of biological activities, all of its undesirable effects are related to them. Bleeding is the most critical safety problem, directly resulting from its potency as an anticoagulant. Thrombocytopenia is the most severe nonbleeding adverse reaction caused by heparin.

Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Anticoagulants, Heparin, Adverse drug reaction, Coagulopathy.