Table 1 Characteristics of studies (Part 1)

Gandhi et al [26]

USA

To determine the rates, types, severity and preventability of adverse events related to drugs and to identify preventative strategies

1202 outpatients visiting adult primary care practices in Boston (2 hospital-based and 2 community based)

Prospective cohort study involving a survey of patients and a chart review of patients visiting primary care practices

Primary care practices

Gurwitz et al [27]

USA, Canada

To assess the incidence of adverse drug and risk factors of adverse drug events in the long-term care setting

Long stay residents of two large academic long-term care facilities in Connecticut (1229 beds), USA and Ontario, Canada.

Prospective cohort study involving review of medical records for possible drug related events

Long term Care facilities

Hakkarainen et a [28]

Sweden

To estimate the prevalence of adverse drug events (ADEs) in 3 months and categorize them into preventable ADEs

5025 adults’ medical records were drawn from inpatient care, outpatient clinics and primary care departments from the Swedish county council

Retrospective review of medical records

Outpatients clinic and primary care departments

Jacobs & Ross [29]

South Africa

To examine the adverse effect in a sample of outpatient in Multi-drug resistant Tuberculosis clinic

Patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

A retrospective review of 350 patients with multidrug resistance tuberculosis in 2010 to 2011

Outpatient clinic

Kaushal et al [30]

USA

To investigate the rates and types of adverse drug events in a pediatric ambulatory setting

Children under 21 years that received a prescription during their visits

A prospective cohort study of prescription reviews, telephone surveys at 6 office practices in Greater Boston over 2 months period

Ambulatory care

Kowski et al [31]

Germany

To assess the adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in epilepsy outpatient clinic.

Epilepsy patients taking antiepileptic.

Patients over 16 years age with epilepsy for over 12 months were asked to complete Liverpool Adverse Event Profile (LAEP).

Epilepsy outpatient

Lahon et al [21]

India

To study the prevalence and pattern, as well as the causality, severity and preventability of adverse drug reaction (ADR) of antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizers prescribed at this particular hospital

222 patients visiting

Retrospective observational study of

Psychiatric outpatient clinic

Li & Tian [33]

Singapore

To assess adverse drug reaction in oral antibiotics used in dermatological indications

28 outpatient cases from National Skin Centre, Singapore in 2013

Retrospective case review of outpatient reported on adverse drug reaction

Outpatient clinics

Lin et al [34]

Taiwan

To identify the risk factors, prevalence, and adverse outcomes of potentially inappropriate medication use

Patients aged 65+ with long-term diseases requiring prescriptions for treatment

Observational cohort study of computerised claims of elderly patients aged 65+ with chronic conditions requiring long term prescriptions from a tertiary medical centre in March 2005

Primary care

Milligan et al [35]

UK

To analyse adverse drug events in relation to insulin therapy/oral glucose- lowering agents in care home setting

Older patients in nursing homes.

A retrospective audit of Reports from National Patient Safety Agency between January 1st 2005 and December 31st 2009.

Residential Nursing homes

Montserrat-Capella et al [36]

Mexico,Peru, Brazil, Colombia

To determine the frequency of adverse events and preventability of such events in selected ambulatory care sites

2080 patients in outpatient clinics across Latin American countries

Multinational observational cohort study of a random selection of 2080 patients in outpatient clinics across Latin American countries.

Ambulatory care

Rosales et al (abstract) [37]

Spain

To outline the incidence and characteristics of moderate to severe ADR to biological agents in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients

Rheumatoid arthritis patients

Observational longitudinal study from 1999 to 2013 of RA patients followed up in outpatient clinic

Outpatient

Schildmeijer et al [38]

Sweden

To investigate the origin, incidence, types and preventability of adverse events that occur in patients receiving homecare

Home care patients

Retrospective record review of healthcare records of 600 patients

Home care

Shehab et al [39]

USA

To estimate and compare the numbers and rates of emergency department visits due to systemic antibiotics related adverse effects

outpatients visiting ambulatory care practices

Retrospective audit of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance

System-Cooperative Adverse Drug Event Surveillance project (2004–2006) and outpatient prescriptions from national sample surveys of ambulatory care practices

Ambulatory care practices

Theitler et al (Abstract) [40]

Czech Republic

To evaluate the rate of adverse event in a cohort of elderly patients with epilepsy

115 epilepsy patients aged between 60 to 90

Retrospective review of computerised databases and medical records of patients aged over 65 in epilepsy outpatient clinic from February 2012 to February 2016

Outpatient

Tomlin et al [41]

New Zealand

To examine the adverse effect in a general practice setting

338,931 patients visiting 30 general practices

A review of electronic clinical records of 338,931 patients from 2002 to 2007 from patient management systems

General practice settings

Tsang et al [42]

UK

To identify the rate and types of adverse events in primary care

Patients that used primary care practices in the UK

Descriptive analyses of data extracted from clinical information management systems

Primary care practices

Woods et al [43]

USA

To investigate the epidemiology of errors and adverse events in ambulatory care

Patients who experienced adverse events in ambulatory care that led to hospitalization

A retrospective review of 14,700 hospital discharge records samples in Colorado and Utah Medical Practices

Primary care

Wucherer et al [44]

Germany

To determine prevalence and types of drug related problems in community-dwelling residents whom are positive for dementia

Participants screened positive for dementia

Retrospective analysis of medication reviews of 446 participants by pharmacists using a comprehensive baseline assessment

General Practice