medicines with anti-cholinergic properties have a significant adverse effect on cognitive and physical function , but limited evidence exists for delirium or mortality outcomes
OBJECTIVES to determine the effect of drugs with anti-cholinergic properties on relevant health outcomes .
Use of medications with anticholinergic properties and cognitive function in a young-old community sample.
OBJECTIVES To examine whether anticholinergic medications have effects on the level of cognitive function or cognitive decline  in persons in their early to mid 60s . METHODS A r and omly selected community-based sample of 2058 persons aged 60 - 64 at baseline was interviewed twice over four years . Anticholinergic medication use was determined from self-report medication data using the Anticholinergic Drug Scale . Cognition was assessed with the California Verbal Learning Test I ( one trial ) , Digits Backwards , the Symbol Digit Modalities Test , the Mini-Mental State Exam and simple and choice reaction time .  Persons meeting criteria for Mild Cognitive Impairment were identified in a clinical sub study . Mixed models adjusting for age , sex , self-rated depression and physical health , and total number of medications were used to analyse the data . RESULTS There was a significant main effect of anticholinergic group averaged across time for the Symbol Digits Modalities Test with poorer performance among anticholinergic medication users . Main effects for the other cognitive tests and mild cognitive impairment were non-significant . No time by anticholinergic group interactions were significant . CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that exposure to anticholinergic medication is associated with lower level of complex attention in the young-old , but not with greater cognitive decline over time . Although the clinical significance of this is not clear , caution should be taken when prescribing medications with anticholinergic effects to older persons
medicines with anti-cholinergic properties have a significant adverse effect on cognitive and physical function , but limited evidence exists for delirium or mortality outcomes
OBJECTIVES to determine the effect of drugs with anti-cholinergic properties on relevant health outcomes .