Table 1.
Randomised controlled trials of screening older people that included data on visual outcome: subjects, settings, and interventions. In all trials concealment of allocation was adequate (see text for details)
| Reference | Subjects and setting | Overall trial intervention | Follow up period | Blinding of outcome assessors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vetter 1984w3 (UK) | People aged over 70 living at home registered with one of two general practices | Annual assessment at home by health visitor (n=577) v usual care (n=571) | 2 years | Yes |
| McEwan 1990w9 (UK) | People aged 75 and over registered with one general practice | Multiphasic nurse assessment at home (n=151) v usual care (n=145) | 20 months | No |
| Vetter 1992w13 (UK) | People aged over 70 living at home registered with one general practice | Annual assessment at home by health visitor, specifically aimed at reducing falls and fractures (n=350) v usual care (n=324) | 4 years | Yes |
| Van Rossum 1993w14 (Netherlands) | Respondents to postal invitation to all people aged 75-84 living at home in defined geographical area | Four visits a year for three years by trained nurses (n=292) v usual care (n=288) | 3 years | Yes |
| Wagner 1994w16 (US) | Health maintenance organisation customers aged 65 and over | Multiphasic assessment by nurse, which included a visual assessment (n=635) v general health promotion visit with no visual assessment (n=317) v usual care (n=607) | 2 years | Postal questionnaires used |