Secondary outcomes
There was minimal data on secondary outcomes from deprescription interventions in outpatient settings. One study followed patients receiving regular CGA over 2 years and concluded a significant reduction in primary care utilization, in addition to a reduction in medication burden.28 In three pilot studies a reduction in medication related side-effects was reported34,37,40and reduction in blood pressure was evident after 2 weeks at the heart failure clinic in a pilot study.38 At the perioperative clinic no difference in postoperative mortality was noted 3-months after deprescribing intervention39 and after pharmacist-led deprescribing at the memory clinic, participants did not appear to experience any change in health outcomes or quality of life at 6-months.37 It is noted that the benefit from deprescribing interventions on clinical outcomes is not strongly evidenced from any clinical setting at this stage. Some systematic reviews have failed to demonstrate any significant benefits from deprescribing on clinical outcomes.72 A recent review cited benefits for deprescribing interventions on mental health, functional status and frailty, but results for cognition and falls were mixed.73