Anticholinergic burden and clinical outcomes among older adults admitted in a tertiary hospital: a prospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Anticholinergic medication use is associated with adverse clinical outcomes, especially in older adults. However, few studies have assessed the anticholinergic burden in the Thai geriatric population. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the impact of anticholinergic burden on clinical outcomes in older patients after discharge from the hospital.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted between January 1 to December 31, 2023. The prescribed medications were assessed at admission and discharge to determine the anticholinergic cognitive burden (ACB) scores. Participants were classified into three groups according to the ACB score at discharge: none (score 0), moderate (score 1-2), and severe (score ≥ 3) anticholinergic burden. The Cox proportional hazard model was us

SUBMITTER: Tiranaprakij P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12448347 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature