An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the effect of medication interventions targeting polypharmacy for frail older adults

Summary: This overview of published systematic reviews examined the effectiveness of medication reviews on managing polypharmacy in frail older adults. The overview identified 10 systematic reviews, which included 154 studies. Medication reviews were the most common intervention, and the evidence suggests that they help reduce inappropriate medication use in frail older adults, but their impact on frailty scores and hospital admission is unclear. Pharmacist-led medication interventions were the most common, reducing inappropriate prescriptions in various settings. Tools, such as clinical decision-making computer support tools, were also found to be effective. The evidence quality ranged from moderate to critically low, highlighting the need for further research to establish if interventions directed at polypharmacy could have an impact on frailty syndromes.

Article: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses on the Effect of Medication Interventions Targeting Polypharmacy for Frail Older Adults – Journal of Clinical Medicine

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