The association between anticholinergic load and cognitive performance, elevated blood pressure and the presence of peripheral anticholinergic side effects.

BACKGROUND:To quantify the association between anticholinergic drug use (burden or load) and cognitive function (MMSE), bloodpressure and the presence of anticholinergic side effects.METHODS:The medical records of 182 aged care home residents in the Perth metropolitan area, Western Australia werereviewed retrospectively to obtain demographic data, past and current medical problems, history of use of agentswith anticholinergic effects and the following medication-related problems: cognitive impairment (as determined byMini Mental State Examination {MMSE} score), blood pressure elevation and the presence of anticholinergic sideeffects. Anticholinergic load was calculated, and the relationship between the anticholinergic load and the presenceof anticholinergic side effects was assessed using stepwise multiple regression and multiple logistic regressionanalysis.RESULTS:Increasing anticholinergic load was associated with the presence of peripheral anticholinergic side effects includinghypertension (AOR=1.53), dry mouth (AOR=1.38), dry eyes (AOR=1.30), constipation (AOR=1.24) and urinaryhesitancy (AOR=1.21) (all p values ≤0.05). The anticholinergic load was not associated with blurred vision (p=0.084)and Mini Mental State Examination score decline (p=0.142).CONCLUSIONS:The anticholinergic load was associated with statistically significantly increased risk of peripheral anticholinergicadverse effects in older aged care residents, however not with cognitive decline.