Age-related references in national public health, technology appraisal and clinical guidelines and guidance: documentary analysis

Lynne F Forrest, Jean Adams, Yoav Ben-Shlomo, Stephanie Buckner, Nick Payne, Melanie Rimmer, Sarah Salway, Sarah Sowden, Kate Walters, Martin White

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
537 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background

Older people may be less likely to receive interventions than younger people. Age bias in national guidance may influence entire public health and health care systems. We examined how English National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE) guidance and guidelines consider age.

Methods

We undertook a documentary analysis of NICE public health (n = 33) and clinical (n = 114) guidelines and technology appraisals (n = 212). We systematically searched for age-related terms, and conducted thematic analysis of the paragraphs in which these occurred (‘age-extracts’). Quantitative analysis explored frequency of age-extracts between and within document types. Illustrative quotes were used to elaborate and explain quantitative findings.

Results

2,314 age-extracts were identified within three themes: age documented as an a-priori consideration at scope-setting (518 age-extracts, 22.4%); documentation of differential effectiveness, cost-effectiveness or other outcomes by age (937 age-extracts, 40.5%); and documentation of age-specific recommendations (859 age-extracts, 37.1%). Public health guidelines considered age most comprehensively. There were clear examples of older-age being considered in both evidence searching and in making recommendations, suggesting that this can be achieved within current processes.

Conclusions

We found inconsistencies in how age is considered in NICE guidance and guidelines. More effort may be required to ensure age is consistently considered. Future NICE committees should search for and document evidence of age-related differences in receipt of interventions. Where evidence relating to effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in older populations is available, more explicit age-related recommendations should be made. Where there is a lack of evidence, it should be stated what new research is needed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)500-508
Number of pages9
JournalAge and Ageing
Volume46
Issue number3
Early online date18 Dec 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2017

Research Groups and Themes

  • NIHR SPHR

Keywords

  • older-age
  • NICE guidance
  • clinical
  • public health
  • technology appraisal

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Age-related references in national public health, technology appraisal and clinical guidelines and guidance: documentary analysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this