RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07114094

Development, Validation and Evaluation of a Deprescribing Tool

Development and Validation of a Deprescribing Tool Relevant to the Indian Context and Evaluation of Its Effectiveness in Reducing Inappropriate Polypharmacy in the Elderly

Sponsor

Indian Council of Medical Research

Enrollment

1,650 participants

Start Date

May 1, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Elderly

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a deprescribing tool can help in reducing prescriptions with potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), in the Indian elderly population. The main question it aims to answer is- Can inappropriate polypharmacy in elderly patients be reduced through development and implementation of a deprescribing tool relevant to the Indian context? Researchers will compare control arm outcome parameters to see if there is a reduction in Proportion of prescriptions with at least one PIM ( Primary outcome parameter). Participating Prescribers ( Physicians) will be randomized to Control or Intervention arms. Particpating patients will not be randomized, and will receive routine consultation with a Physician who does not use the Deprescribing Tool (Control arm) or a prescriber who uses the Deprescribing tool ( Intervention Arm)

Eligibility

Min Age: 60 Years

Inclusion Criteria1

Elderly patients (≥ 60 years) of either sex, visiting the General Medicine/ Community and Family Medicine OPD of the study sites

Exclusion Criteria1

Patients not willing to participate in the study

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Interventions

OTHERDeprescribing Tool

Deprescribing Tool will be used for medication review during patient consultation. The prescriber will be encouraged to refer to the tool for medication review of elderly patients aged ≥ 60 years and take deprescribing decision if indicated. Deprescribing may take place in any of the following ways- 1. Immediate discontinuation of a drug, e.g., a duplicate drug 2. Initiation of gradual tapering of a drug e.g., an anxiolytic, which is no longer indicated 3. Reduction in dose of a drug, e.g., lower dose of an NSAID for relief of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis Only 1-3 medicines will be deprescribed at a time. Medicines with overlapping indications will not be deprescribed at the same time so it is clear which medicine is responsible if withdrawal effects occur.