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ABSTRACT: Background
Cognitive decline is common in older people. Numerous studies point to the detrimental impact of polypharmacy and inappropriate medication on older people's cognitive function. Here we aim to systematically review evidence on the impact of medication optimisation and drug interventions on cognitive function in older adults.Methods
A systematic review was performed using MEDLINE and Web of Science on May 2021. Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) addressing the impact of medication optimisation or pharmacological interventions on quantitative measures of cognitive function in older adults (aged > 65 years) were included. Single-drug interventions (e.g., on drugs for dementia) were excluded. The quality of the studies was assessed by using the Jadad score.Results
Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. In five studies a positive impact of the intervention on metric measures of cognitive function was observed. Only one study showed a significant improvement of cognitive function by medication optimisation. The remaining four positive studies tested methylphenidate, selective oestrogen receptor modulators, folic acid and antipsychotics. The mean Jadad score was low (2.7).Conclusion
This systematic review identified a small number of heterogenous RCTs investigating the impact of medication optimisation or pharmacological interventions on cognitive function. Five trials showed a positive impact on at least one aspect of cognitive function, with comprehensive medication optimisation not being more successful than focused drug interventions. More prospective trials are needed to specifically assess ways of limiting the negative impact of certain medication in particular and polypharmacy in general on cognitive function in older patients.
SUBMITTER: Pazan F
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9626423 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Pazan Farhad F Petrovic Mirko M Cherubini Antonio A Cruz-Jentoft Alfonso J AJ Denkinger Michael M van der Cammen Tischa J M TJM Stevenson Jennifer M JM Ibrahim Kinda K Rajkumar Chakravarthi C Bakken Marit Stordal MS Crome Peter P Guðmundsson Adalsteinn A Knol Wilma W Snijders Birgitta M G BMG O'Mahony Denis D Serra-Rexach José Antonio JA Soulis George G van Marum Rob J RJ Ziere Gijsbertus G Mair Alpana A Burkhardt Heinrich H Neumann-Podczaska Agnieszka A Wieczorowska-Tobis Katarzyna K Fernandes Marilia Andreia MA Gruner Heidi H van der Velde Nathalie N Wehling Martin M
Drugs & aging 20221026 11
<h4>Background</h4>Cognitive decline is common in older people. Numerous studies point to the detrimental impact of polypharmacy and inappropriate medication on older people's cognitive function. Here we aim to systematically review evidence on the impact of medication optimisation and drug interventions on cognitive function in older adults.<h4>Methods</h4>A systematic review was performed using MEDLINE and Web of Science on May 2021. Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) addressing the impa ...[more]