Unjustified exclusion of elderly people from studies submitted to research ethics committee for approval: descriptive study

Of the remaining 155, 90 (58%) had an upper age limit, which ranged from 45 years (in a smoking cessation intervention) to 100 years (in a study of an open access mental health service), with a median of 70 years (interquartile range 65 to 75 years). If researchers can be certain that elderly people will not respond differently from other age groups, their specific inclusion may not be an issue; if this is not the case, however, their inclusion is essential. 3 Abolishing ageist practices and attitudes in research, as well as in clinical practice, is important if elderly people are to gain maximum benefit from advances in health care. 4 Ethics committees are in a strong position to influence research practice and to reduce unethical age discrimination.