Why the study?
Previous studies on long-term anticholinergic drug use and dementia report heterogeneous results, potentially due to different anticholinergic scales and differential effects across drug classes.
Does higher cumulative anticholinergic burden increase the risk of incident dementia in adults?
Population
171,775 UK Biobank participants with linked GP prescription records
Comparison
13 anticholinergic scales and anticholinergic burden from different drug classes vs dementia risk
Design
Observational cohort study using linked records
Key result
The longitudinal trajectory of anticholinergic burden was predictive of incident dementia (HR 1.094), with the association holding especially for antidepressants, antiepileptics, and high-ceiling antidiuretics.
Authors
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May support risk stratification in older adults; leaves open whether reducing exposure prevents dementia.
Cohort (n=171,775)
Does higher cumulative anticholinergic burden increase the risk of incident dementia in adults?
Hazard Ratio: 1.094 (95% CI 1.068–1.119)
Higher cumulative anticholinergic burden and its longitudinal increase are associated with an increased risk of incident dementia, particularly for antidepressants, antiepileptics, and high-ceiling diuretics.
Mur et al. (2021) conducted a cohort in Dementia (n=171,775). Anticholinergic burden vs. Lower anticholinergic burden was evaluated on Incident dementia (HR 1.094, 95% CI 1.068-1.119). The longitudinal trajectory of anticholinergic burden was predictive of incident dementia (HR 1.094), with the association holding especially for antidepressants, antiepileptics, and high-ceiling antidiuretics.