Cognitive decline associated with anticholinergics, benzodiazepines, and Z‐drugs: findings from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)

Moriarty, Frank, Savva, George, Grossi, Carlota M., Bennett, Kathleen, Fox, Chris, Maidment, Ian, Loke, Yoon K., Steel, Nicholas, Kenny, Rose Anne and Richardson, Kathryn (2021) Cognitive decline associated with anticholinergics, benzodiazepines, and Z‐drugs: findings from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). British Journal of Pharmacology, 87 (7). pp. 2818-2829. ISSN 0007-1188

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Abstract

Aims: To estimate the association between patterns of anticholinergic, benzodiazepine and Z-drug medication use and change in cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults.  Methods: This prospective cohort study used data from the first three waves of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), including community-dwelling adults aged ≥50 years followed for up to 4 years (n = 7027). Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination, animal naming test and word recall tests. Regular medication use was self-reported at baseline and follow-up interviews at 2 and 4 years. Pharmacy dispensing claims for a subset (n = 2905) allowed assessment of medication use between interviews and cumulative dosage. Medication use at consecutive waves of TILDA was analysed in relation to change in cognitive function between waves.  Results: Strongly anticholinergic medications (Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden scale 3), benzodiazepines and Z-drugs were reported by 7.3%, 5.8% and 5.1% of participants, respectively, at any time during the study. Adjusting for potential confounders, new anticholinergic use between interviews was associated with change in recall score (−1.09, 95% confidence interval −1.64, −0.53) over 2 years compared to non-use, but not with MMSE (0.07; 95% CI −0.21, 0.34) or animal naming (−0.70; 95% CI −1.43, 0.03). The pharmacy claims analysis was consistent with this finding. Other hypothesised associations were not supported.  Conclusions: Except for new use of anticholinergic medications, no other findings supported a risk of cognitive decline over 2-year periods in this middle-aged and older cohort. Patients and prescribers should weigh this potential risk against potential benefits of commencing anticholinergic medications.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Funding Information: This work was supported by the UK Alzheimer's Society [AS‐PG‐2013‐017]. Funding for TILDA is provided by the Irish Government, the Atlantic Philanthropies and Irish Life.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	z-drugs,anticholinergic medication,benzodiazepines,cognitive function,pharmacoepidemiology,pharmacology,pharmacology (medical) ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3000/3004
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Health Sciences Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Promotion Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Mental Health Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Institute for Volunteering Research Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Population Health Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Lifespan Health
Related URLs:	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?...
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	09 Dec 2020 01:07
Last Modified:	10 Apr 2025 00:38
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/77919
DOI:	10.1111/bcp.14687

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