RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the disease spectrum and drug types causing drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in northeast China, so that the affected population can be reminded of the need to increase their post-medication monitoring. METHODS: A total of 470 DILI patients hospitalized at Shengjing Hospital between 2013 and 2016 were involved in this retrospective study. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the disease spectrum of the different age groups (P < 0.001) and genders (P = 0.009). Drugs used to treat osteopathies, dermatitis and infections, as well as health care supplements, each accounted for > 10% of all drugs that caused DILI. The percentage of DILIs related to Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) gradually increased with patient age (P = 0.002). The percentage of males taking health supplements or CHMs was significantly lower compared with females. Total bilirubin (ß = 0.01, OR = 1.01, P < 0.001) and INR (ß = 0.74, OR = 2.11, P < 0.001) were found to be independent predictors of liver damage. CONCLUSIONS: The main type of drug that causes DILI in northeast China is a CHM. There are differences in the disease spectrum found in DILI patients of different ages and gender. Making appropriate changes in the drug-taking habits of high-risk groups and the drugs used to treat high-risk underlying diseases, as well as increasing patient monitoring, may help to reduce the incidence of DILIs.