What do clinical practice guidelines say about deprescribing? A scoping review
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(Published version)
Date
2025
Authors
Langford, A.V.
Warriach, I.
McEvoy, A.M.
Karaim, E.
Chand, S.
Turner, J.P.
Thompson, W.
Farrell, B.J.
Pollock, D.
Moriarty, F.
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Journal article
Citation
BMJ Quality and Safety, 2025; 34(1):017101-1-017101-12
Statement of Responsibility
Aili Veronica Langford, Imaan Warriach, Aisling M McEvoy, Elisa Karaim, Shyleen Chand, Justin P Turner, Wade Thompson, Barbara J Farrell, Danielle Pollock, Frank Moriarty, Danijela Gnjidic, Nagham J Ailabouni, Emily Reeve
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Abstract
Introduction Deprescribing (medication dose reduction or cessation) is an integral component of appropriate prescribing. The extent to which deprescribing recommendations are included in clinical practice guidelines is unclear. This scoping review aimed to identify guidelines that contain deprescribing recommendations, qualitatively explore the content and format of deprescribing recommendations and estimate the proportion of guidelines that contain deprescribing recommendations. Methods Bibliographic databases and Google were searched for guidelines published in English from January 2012 to November 2022. Guideline registries were searched from January 2017 to February 2023. Two reviewers independently screened records from databases and Google for guidelines containing one or more deprescribing recommendations. A 10% sample of the guideline registries was screened to identify eligible guidelines and estimate the proportion of guidelines containing a deprescribing recommendation. Guideline and recommendation characteristics were extracted and language features of deprescribing recommendations including content, form, complexity and readability were examined using a conventional content analysis and the SHeLL Health Literacy Editor tool. Results 80 guidelines containing 316 deprescribing recommendations were included. Deprescribing recommendations had substantial variability in their format and terminology. Most guidelines contained recommendations regarding for who (75%, n=60), what (99%, n=89) and when or why (91%, n=73) to deprescribe, however, fewer guidelines (58%, n=46) contained detailed guidance on how to deprescribe. Approximately 29% of guidelines identified from the registries sample (n=14/49) contained one or more deprescribing recommendations. Conclusions Deprescribing recommendations are increasingly being incorporated into guidelines, however, many guidelines do not contain clear and actionable recommendations on how to deprescribe which may limit effective implementation in clinical practice. A co-designed template or best practice guide, containing information on aspects of deprescribing recommendations that are essential or preferred by endusers should be developed and employed.
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Published Online First 24 May 2024
Data source: Supplementary materials, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2024-017101
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© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.