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The Association Between Anticholinergic Medication Burden and Health Related Outcomes in the ‘Oldest Old’: A Systematic Review of the Literature

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Abstract

Background

Increased exposure to anticholinergic medication is problematic, particularly in those aged 80 years and older.

Objective

The aim of this systematic review was to identify tools used to quantify anticholinergic medication burden and determine the most appropriate tool for use in longitudinal research, conducted in those aged 80 years and older.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted across six electronic databases to identify existing tools. Data extraction was conducted independently by two researchers; studies describing the development of each tool were also retrieved and relevant data extracted. An assessment of quality was completed for all studies. Tools were assessed in terms of their measurement of the association between anticholinergic medication burden and a defined set of clinical outcomes, their development and their suitability for use in longitudinal research; the latter was evaluated on the basis of criteria defined as the key attributes of an ideal anticholinergic risk tool.

Results

In total, 807 papers were retrieved, 13 studies were eligible for inclusion and eight tools were identified. Included studies were classed as ‘very good’ or ‘good’ following the quality assessment analysis; one study was unclassified. Anticholinergic medication burden as measured in studies was associated with impaired cognitive and physical function, as well as an increased frequency of falls. The Drug Burden Index (DBI) exhibited most of the key attributes of an ideal anticholinergic risk tool.

Conclusion

This review identified the DBI as the most appropriate tool for use in longitudinal research focused on older people and their exposure to anticholinergic medication burden.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Professor A. Peter Passmore for his valuable contribution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical and Practice Research Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland

    Karen Cardwell, Carmel M. Hughes & Cristín Ryan

  2. School of Pharmacy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland

    Cristín Ryan

Authors
  1. Karen Cardwell
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  2. Carmel M. Hughes
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carmel M. Hughes.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), Northern Ireland, through a postgraduate studentship to KC. No other sources of funding were used in the preparation of this systematic review.

Conflicts of interest

Karen Cardwell, Carmel M. Hughes and Cristín Ryan declare that they have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this systematic review.

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Cardwell, K., Hughes, C.M. & Ryan, C. The Association Between Anticholinergic Medication Burden and Health Related Outcomes in the ‘Oldest Old’: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Drugs Aging 32, 835–848 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-015-0310-9

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