Clinical decision support systems differ in their ability to identify clinically relevant drug interactions of immunosuppressants in kidney transplant patients

SummaryWhat is known and objective In kidney transplant patients, clinically relevant drug–drug interactions (DDIs) with immunosuppressants potentially lead to serious adverse drug events (ADEs). The aim of this study was (i) to show that five clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) differ in their ability to identify clinically relevant potential DDIs (pDDIs) of immunosuppressants in kidney transplant patients and (ii) to compare CDSSs in terms of their ability to identify clinically relevant pDDIs in this context. Methods All pDDIs being possible between nine immunosuppressants and 234 comedication drugs were identified for 264 intensive care unit (ICU) kidney transplant patients from 1999 to 2010. For pDDI identification, five CDSSs were used: DRUG-REAX®, ID PHARMA CHECK®, Lexi-Interact, mediQ and Meona. PDDIs from high severity categories were defined as clinically relevant. Classification of pDDIs as clinically relevant/non-clinically relevant by a clinical pharmacist using Stockley's Drug Interactions was employed as benchmark. We analysed inter-rater agreement, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value. Results and discussion Clinical decision support systems generated a total of 759 pDDI alerts. A total of 240 pDDI alerts were in high severity categories. A total of 391 different pDDIs were identified. Only 5% (n = 35) of different pDDIs were identified by all CDSSs. A total of 49 pDDIs were classified as clinically relevant by clinical pharmacists’ rating using Stockley's Drug Interactions. Meona (0·72) has the highest inter-rater agreement with the benchmark for clinically relevant pDDIs. ID PHARMA CHECK® and mediQ show highest sensitivities (0·74, respectively). Meona has the highest specificity (0·99) and positive predictive value (0·89). What is new and conclusion Five CDSSs differ in their ability to identify clinically relevant pDDIs of immunosuppressants in kidney transplant patients. Data may assist in selecting CDSSs for kidney transplant patients in the ICU. Using CDSSs to identify clinically relevant pDDIs could prevent ADEs and contribute to the overall goal of avoiding patient harm and increasing patient safety.