Perioperative Anticholinergic Medication Use and Incident Dementia among Older Surgical Patients: a Retrospective Cohort Study using Real-World Data.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Inpatient anticholinergic medications have been associated with a higher likelihood of postoperative delirium in older adults. However, it remains unclear whether administering anticholinergic medications after surgery adversely affects long-term cognitive function.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the relationship between in-hospital anticholinergic medications and time to incident dementia in a cohort of older surgical patients. We also sought to determine whether the association between in-hospital anticholinergic drugs and dementia differed by sex and prehospital anticholinergic exposure.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of electronic health record data from a regional health information exchange. The study population included patients aged 50 ye

SUBMITTER: Holler E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11930629 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature