Dataset Information

Cognitive decline in older persons initiating anticholinergic medications.

ABSTRACT:

Background

This study examines the effect of initiating medications with anticholinergic activity on the cognitive functions of older persons.

Methods

Participants were 896 older community-dwelling, Catholic clergy without baseline dementia. Medication data was collected annually. The Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Scale was utilized to identify use of a medication with probable or definite anticholinergic activity. Participants had at least two annual cognitive evaluations.

Results

Over a mean follow-up of 10 years, the annual rate of global cognitive function decline for never users, prevalent users, and incident users was -0.062 (SE?=?0.005), -0.081(SE?=?0.011), and -0.096 (SE?=?0.007) z-score units/year, respectively. Compared to never users, incident users had a more rapid decline (difference?=?-0.034 z-score units/year, SE?=?0.008, p<0.001) while prevalent users did not have a significantly more rapid decline (p?=?0.1).

Conclusions

Older persons initiating a medication with anticholinergic activity have a steeper annual decline in cognitive functioning than those who are not taking these medications.

SUBMITTER: Shah RC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3669362 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Cognitive decline in older persons initiating anticholinergic medications.

Shah Raj C RC Janos Alicia L AL Kline Julia E JE Yu Lei L Leurgans Sue E SE Wilson Robert S RS Wei Peter P Bennett David A DA Heilman Kenneth M KM Tsao Jack W JW

PloS one 20130531 5

<h4>Background</h4>This study examines the effect of initiating medications with anticholinergic activity on the cognitive functions of older persons.<h4>Methods</h4>Participants were 896 older community-dwelling, Catholic clergy without baseline dementia. Medication data was collected annually. The Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Scale was utilized to identify use of a medication with probable or definite anticholinergic activity. Participants had at least two annual cognitive evaluations.<h4> ...[more]

PMID: 23741303

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Project description:BackgroundFindings from observational studies suggest that dietary patterns may offer protective benefits against cognitive decline, but data from clinical trials are limited. The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, known as the MIND diet, is a hybrid of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, with modifications to include foods that have been putatively associated with a decreased risk of dementia.MethodsWe performed a two-site, randomized, controlled trial involving older adults without cognitive impairment but with a family history of dementia, a body-mass index (the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters) greater than 25, and a suboptimal diet, as determined by means of a 14-item questionnaire, to test the cognitive effects of the MIND diet with mild caloric restriction as compared with a control diet with mild caloric restriction. We assigned the participants in a 1:1 ratio to follow the intervention or the control diet for 3 years. All the participants received counseling regarding adherence to their assigned diet plus support to promote weight loss. The primary end point was the change from baseline in a global cognition score and four cognitive domain scores, all of which were derived from a 12-test battery. The raw scores from each test were converted to z scores, which were averaged across all tests to create the global cognition score and across component tests to create the four domain scores; higher scores indicate better cognitive performance. The secondary outcome was the change from baseline in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived measures of brain characteristics in a nonrandom sample of participants.ResultsA total of 1929 persons underwent screening, and 604 were enrolled; 301 were assigned to the MIND-diet group and 303 to the control-diet group. The trial was completed by 93.4% of the participants. From baseline to year 3, improvements in global cognition scores were observed in both groups, with increases of 0.205 standardized units in the MIND-diet group and 0.170 standardized units in the control-diet group (mean difference, 0.035 standardized units; 95% confidence interval, -0.022 to 0.092; P = 0.23). Changes in white-matter hyperintensities, hippocampal volumes, and total gray- and white-matter volumes on MRI were similar in the two groups.ConclusionsAmong cognitively unimpaired participants with a family history of dementia, changes in cognition and brain MRI outcomes from baseline to year 3 did not differ significantly between those who followed the MIND diet and those who followed the control diet with mild caloric restriction. (Funded by the National Institute on Aging; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02817074.).

Project description:BackgroundTo further inform benefits and risks of medications on physical function in aging populations, we have evaluated the associations of antihypertensive (antiHTN) class and number used with skeletal muscle function, mobility, sedentary time, and symptoms in older persons.MethodsUsing baseline data from the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence in Elder (LIFE) study (N = 1567, mean age 78.9 years) and multivariable models, we evaluated cross-sectional associations of antiHTN class and number used with physical measures and symptom questionnaires. AntiHTN class included diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), calcium channel blockers (CCB), and beta blockers (BB). Physical measures included respiratory muscle weakness (maximal inspiratory pressure), grip weakness (dynamometer), impaired lower extremity proximal muscle strength (chair stands), impaired balance (three-stage test), slow gait (400 m walk), mobility impairment (Short Physical Performance Battery), and high sedentary time (accelerometry). Symptoms included dyspnea and fatigue. Covariates included clinical characteristics and non-antiHTNs.ResultsUse of any antiHTN was highly prevalent (n = 1248 [79.6%]). In the antiHTN subgroup, each antiHTN class was well represented (ranging 36.6%-62.7%) and included use of three or more antiHTNs (32.0%). In adjusted models, the only statistically significant associations were use of BB and three or more antiHTNs with high sedentary time: odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) 1.44 (1.12, 1.85) and 1.52 (1.04, 2.23), respectively.ConclusionUse of BB and three or more antiHTNs yielded 44% and 52% increased odds of accelerometry-defined high sedentary time, respectively. Notably, high sedentary time is a risk factor for adverse health outcomes. Thus, future work should evaluate whether high sedentary time mitigates benefits or increases risks, regarding antiHTN use in aging populations.

Dataset Information

Cognitive decline in older persons initiating anticholinergic medications.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Cognitive decline in older persons initiating anticholinergic medications.

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