Anticholinergic Burden and Frailty in Older Inpatients
Author Information
Author(s): Mohammed Mohammed Adem, Chan Amy Hai Yan, Wabe Nasir, Ali Ayesha, Harris Louis, West Sianne, Colaabavala Rhea, Aw Justine, Harrison Jeff
Primary Institution: The University of Auckland
Hypothesis
This study aimed to examine exposure to anticholinergic medicines in older inpatients using multiple scales and describe the association of patient factors such as frailty with anticholinergic exposure.
Conclusion
A reduction in the anticholinergic burden from admission to discharge was observed, yet one-third of the study cohort were discharged with high anticholinergic medicines.
Supporting Evidence
- 32–74% of patients were prescribed at least one anticholinergic medicine on admission.
- 1 in 3 patients had high anticholinergic burden on admission and discharge.
- Patients with higher frailty scores had significantly higher odds of anticholinergic exposure.
Takeaway
Older patients in the hospital often take medicines that can cause side effects, and while some got better, many still left with too many of these medicines.
Methodology
The study reviewed admission and discharge medicines of 222 older patients, collecting sociodemographic, diagnostic, and medication data from electronic health records and assessing anticholinergic burden using multiple scales.
Potential Biases
Underrepresentation of Māori and Pacific patients may affect the findings.
Limitations
The findings cannot be generalized beyond the studied population as participants were recruited from specific wards and excluded those with cognitive impairment.
Participant Demographics
{"mean_age":81.9,"female_percentage":63,"ethnicity_distribution":{"European":84.7,"Asian":7.7,"Pacifica":5.0,"Māori":2.7},"deprivation_distribution":{"least_deprived":37.8,"moderately_deprived":44.1,"most_deprived":18.0}}
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.57, 16.97
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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