Polypharmacy, anticholinergic burden and oral microbiome among U.S. middle-aged and older adults: a representative national survey.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Polypharmacy has been linked to alterations in gut microbiota, but its effects on the oral microbiome remain underexplored. This study aimed to examine the association of polypharmacy and anticholinergic burden with oral microbiome diversity and composition.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from NHANES 2009-2012, including participants aged 55-69 years who reported at least one prescription medication. Polypharmacy was defined as the concurrent use of five or more medications. Anticholinergic burden was quantified by the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden scale and the Anticholinergic Drug Scale. Oral microbiome profiling comprised alpha diversity, beta diversity, and taxonomic composition at multiple phylogenetic levels. Associations were

SUBMITTER: Wei K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12594100 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature