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Pharmacists’ contribution to benzodiazepine deprescribing in older outpatients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Background

Consolidated and reliable evidence regarding the effectiveness of pharmacist interventions for deprescribing benzodiazepines in older outpatients is lacking.

Aim

This study evaluated and summarized the impact of pharmacist interventions on benzodiazepine deprescribing among older outpatients.

Method

A literature search was conducted until August 2022 in PubMed, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. The review included randomized controlled trials that assessed the impact of pharmacist interventions on deprescribing benzodiazepine in older outpatients. Two independent investigators conducted the study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment. Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effect models in the RStudio software.

Results

A total of 893 records were identified. Five studies, including 3,879 patients, met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review. All five studies used health education as an intervention strategy, and three also conducted medication reviews. There was no evidence of the pharmacist’s authority to modify prescriptions during benzodiazepine deprescribing. One study was classified as having a low risk of bias, whereas the other had some concerns or a high risk of bias. Three studies were included in the meta-analysis and a significant impact of pharmacist interventions on benzodiazepines deprescribing rates in older outpatients was observed (RR = 2.75 [95%CI 1.29; 5.89]; p = 0.04; I2 = 69%; low certainty of evidence).

Conclusion

Pharmacists may contribute to deprescribing benzodiazepines in older outpatients. Further studies are needed to increase the reliability of these findings.

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022358563.

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Funding

TARM received a scholarship from the Ministry of Health for the USP residency program in Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Care. The authors have not received specific grants from public, commercial, or not-for-profit funding agencies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580, Conj. das Químicas, Bloco 13, Cidade Universitária Butantã, São Paulo, Brazil

    Thiago Afonso Rodrigues Melo & Patricia Melo Aguiar

  2. Municipal Health Department, Multiprofessional Residency Program in Family and Community Health, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil

    Cleyton Oliveira Bezerra

  3. Capixaba Institute of Health Education, Research and Innovation, Vitória, ES, Brazil

    Brígida Dias Fernandes

  4. Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil

    Inajara Rotta

  5. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil

    Walleri Christini Torelli Reis

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  1. Thiago Afonso Rodrigues Melo
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Correspondence to Patricia Melo Aguiar.

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Melo, T.A.R., Bezerra, C.O., Fernandes, B.D. et al. Pharmacists’ contribution to benzodiazepine deprescribing in older outpatients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Clin Pharm 45, 1037–1049 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-023-01637-2

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