Table 1.

Key Characteristics of the Studies Included in the Systematic Review

Risk of Bias (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale)a
Author (Year)Sampling MethodSample SizeAge, Years% FemaleFollow-Up Duration in YearsData Source of PIPCriteria of PIPData Source of OutcomesSelection (Max 4*)Comparability (Max 2*)Outcome (Max 3*)
Barnett et al,27 2011Whole population registry70,299Mean 75.2
SD 6.8
57.02.0Dispensed prescribing databaseBeers Criteria 2003Mortality: Death certification database* * * ** ** * *
Cahir et al,25 2014
Cahir et al,24 2014
Stratified random sampling931Mean 78.0
SD 5.4
54.00.5Pharmacy claim databaseBeers Criteria 2012
STOPP
ADEs, hospitalizations, and A&E visits: Structured interview and medical records
Functional decline: VES scale HRQoL: EQ-5D scale
* * * ** ** * *
Hanlon et al,25 2002
Fillenbaum et al,26 2004
Stratified probability sampling3,23465-74 years: 49.1%
75-84 years: 41.1%
≥85 years: 9.8%
64.83.0Structured interviewBeers Criteria 1997
DUR
Mortality: National Death Index
Functional decline: Combination of Katz ADL, OARS Instrumental ADLs, and abbreviated Rosow-Breslau scale
Hospitalizations: Medicare and Medicaid database
Outpatient visits and nursing home entry: self-or proxy report
* * * ** ** * *
Moriarty et al,28 2016Stratified random sampling1,753Mean 76.5
SD 6.0
54.41.0Pharmacy claim databaseSTOPP
START
A&E visits, GP visits: Structured interview
Functional decline: Difficulty in doing 6 named ADLs HRQoL: CASP-R12 scale
* * * ** ** * *
Wallace et al,29 2017Stratified random sampling904Median 77
IQR 74-81
54.02.0Pharmacy claim databasesBeers Criteria 2012
STOPP
ADEs: Patient interview and medical records
A&E visits and hospitalizations: Medical records HRQoL: EQ-5D scale
* * * ** ** * *
Wauters et al,30 2016Whole GP registry and consecutive sampling503Mean 84.461.21.5Secured recordSTOPP
START
Mortality: Secured record
Hospitalizations: Secured record
* * * *** * *
  • A&E = accident and emergency department; ADE = adverse drug event; ADL = activity of daily living; CASP-R12 = control, autonomy, self-realization, and pleasure revised 12-item quality of life scale; DUR = drug utilization review; EQ-5D = health-related quality of life states consisting of 5 dimensions; GP = general practitioner; HRQoL = health-related quality of life; IQR = interquartile range; OARS = Older American Resources and Service; PIP = potentially inappropriate prescribing; START = Screening Tool to Alert Right Treatment; STOPP = Screening Tool of Older Persons’ Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions; VES = Vulnerable Elders Survey.

  • a A star (*) is awarded if a specific criterion in the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was met, indicating low risk of bias in that criterion. Further details on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale are available in the supplemental appendix, available at http://www.AnnFamMed.org/content/17/3/257/suppl/DC1/.