Prescription errors in patients with systemic sclerosis: Exploratory data analysis from scleroderma clinic

Suwassa Namvijit

Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

Ajanee Mahakkanukrauh

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

Siraphop Suwannaroj

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

Patnarin Pongkulkiat

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

Tippawan Onchan

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

Chingching Foocharoen

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14456/apst.2025.19

Keywords: systemic sclerosis scleroderma, medication prescription errors prescription modifications prescription cancellations

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis, inflammation, and vasculopathy. Treatments aiming to manage all pathologic processes and polypharmacy may inevitably increase the likelihood of prescription errors. We aimed to quantify the numbers of prescription errors and identify factors associated with prescribing errors among SSc patients at the Scleroderma Clinic from January 2016 to December 2022. Prescription error was defined as any modification or cancellation of a medication in the prescription, excluding logistic issues. Among 9,741 prescriptions, 199 (2%) were prescription errors. The most common type of prescription error was duplicated medication (50.5%), followed by prescribed incorrect amount of medicines (34.2%), improper dosage regimen (5.6%), improper drug selection (5.1%) and a history of adverse drug reaction (4.6%). Immunosuppressants and vasodilators were frequently modified and canceled due to their serious side effect history. Neither physician experience nor the types of medication were associated with the occurrence of prescription errors. While the overall rate of prescription errors in the Scleroderma Clinic was low, duplicated medication was the most prevalent type. Implementing strategies targeting these errors could potentially reduce their incidence.

How to Cite

Namvijit, S., Mahakkanukrauh, A., Suwannaroj, S., Pongkulkiat, P. ., Onchan, T., & Foocharoen, C. (2025). Prescription errors in patients with systemic sclerosis: Exploratory data analysis from scleroderma clinic. Asia-Pacific Journal of Science and Technology, 30(02), APST–30. https://doi.org/10.14456/apst.2025.19

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