In an Australian primary care population aged ≥65 years, 8% of patients had a Fox anticholinergic burden score ≥4, which increased to 33% when using the modified Fox-plus scale.
Cross-Sectional (n=4,853)
Yes
A significant proportion of elderly primary care patients in Australia have a high anticholinergic burden, highlighting the need for medication review to minimize the risk of cognitive impairment.
ABSTRACT Aim To determine the anticholinergic burden (ACB) of an Australian primary care population. Method A cross‐sectional study was undertaken of medication data from 11 general practices. Participants were active patients aged 65 years and over seen at least 3 times in the last 2 years (n = 4853). The ACB score was calculated based on a UK peer‐reviewed scoring system (Fox) and a modified scale (Fox‐plus) that included medications not present in the Fox scale. The main outcome measure was total ACB from prescribed medications. Results A Fox ACB score ≥ 4 is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality, 249 (9%) females, 130 (6%) males and 379 (8%) overall fell in this category. Applying the Fox‐plus ACB scale, 983 (36%) females, 630 (30%) males and 1613 (33%) overall fell in this category. Conclusion A large proportion of the elderly population may have cognitive impairment because of their therapy. Alternative medications or strategies are needed to maintain therapeutic benefits with a low ACB.
Ball et al. (Sun,) conducted a cross-sectional in Anticholinergic burden (n=4,853). Anticholinergic burden assessment was evaluated on Total ACB from prescribed medications. In an Australian primary care population aged ≥65 years, 8% of patients had a Fox anticholinergic burden score ≥4, which increased to 33% when using the modified Fox-plus scale.
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