Journal article 131 views 18 downloads
Impact of Deprescribing Among Older Adults in Primary Care Settings: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
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Bhuvan KC,
Mark Wing Loong Cheong ,
Rajeev Shrestha ,
Sunil Shrestha ,
Juman Al-Dujaili ,
Ali Blebil
Aging Medicine
Swansea University Authors:
Juman Al-Dujaili , Ali Blebil
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© 2026 The Author(s). Aging Medicine published by Beijing Hospital and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
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DOI (Published version): 10.1002/agm2.70075
Abstract
Background: Deprescribing is a systematic approach aimed at reducing the number of medications that are no longer beneficial or appropriate. This study aims to assess the various types of deprescribing and the outcomes among older adults in primary health care. The electronic search for original art...
| Published in: | Aging Medicine |
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| ISSN: | 2475-0360 2475-0360 |
| Published: |
Wiley
2026
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71738 |
| Abstract: |
Background: Deprescribing is a systematic approach aimed at reducing the number of medications that are no longer beneficial or appropriate. This study aims to assess the various types of deprescribing and the outcomes among older adults in primary health care. The electronic search for original articles was conducted using the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Global Health. The types of deprescribing interventions and their outcomes in older adults were assessed and compared with those of non-intervention. The risk of bias was assessed using the Robins tool. Eighteen randomized controlled trials were included after full-text screening. These studies evaluated a range of deprescribing interventions implemented in primary healthcare settings. The interventions included medication reviews, academic detailing, pharmacist-led deprescribing, computerized decision-support tools, structured education, patient-centered communication, and coordinated medication risk management. Quantitative analysis revealed that two studies reported a statistically significant reduction in patient falls due to deprescribing (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: [0.46, 0.98]; I2 = 0%; p = 0.04). Sensitivity analysis further demonstrated that deprescribing significantly reduced the average number of medications used by older adults (MD: 0.17; 95% CI: [0.03, 0.32]; p = 0.02) and was associated with a significant decrease in hospitalisations in this population (RR: 1.40; 95% CI: [1.08, 1.80]; p = 0.01). Deprescribing interventions in primary care have been proven to result in a modest reduction in the number of medications prescribed to older adults and could help reduce falls, with potential benefits for reducing hospitalization. Trial Registration: Prospero CRD42023464445 |
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| Item Description: |
Review Article |
| Keywords: |
deprescribing, medication review, older adults, outcomes, systematic review |
| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
| Funders: |
Swansea University |