Polypharmacy and anticholinergic burden as risk factors for postoperative delirium in surgical medicine.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Polypharmacy is a widespread phenomenon in older patients. In particular, the anticholinergic burden of medication is an important risk factor for delirium due to age-related changes in the cholinergic system.

Methods

Preoperative medication, including the calculation of the anticholinergic burden (ACB), was recorded in a prospective study (421 patients) to identify potential risks associated with medication intake. Postoperative delirium screening was carried out daily.

Results

The study included 199 women (47.3%) and 222 men (52.7%) aged 80.8 ± 6.7 years and 78.8 ± 6.2 years, respectively. Antidepressants odds ratio (OR) 3.16 (95% confidence interval. CI, 1.51-6.64), antidiabetic drugs OR 2.53 (95% CI 1.27-5.03), neuroleptics OR 3.52 (95% CI 1.70-7.28) and P

SUBMITTER: Moellmann HL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12048463 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature