Media coverage
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Media coverage
Title Anticholinergic drugs associated with increased mortality in patients with dementia in NI Degree of recognition National Media name/outlet Twitter, Irish News, Belfast Telegraph Media type Print Country/Territory United Kingdom Date 11/11/2020 Description Research finds common anticholinergic drugs increase risk of mortality in people with dementia A study led by researchers from Queen’s University Belfast has found anticholinergic drugs significantly increase the risk of mortality in people with dementia. The research has been published today (Date TBC) in Aging & Mental Health. Anticholinergics are a type of medication that blocks the action of a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger in the brain, called acetylcholine. They are commonly used to treat a variety of conditions, including urinary incontinence, allergies and depression. In 2015, over 47 million people worldwide were living with dementia and this figure is expected to increase to 66 million in 2030 and 115 million in 2050. In Northern Ireland, it is estimated that there are currently 19,000 people living with dementia, a number which could potentially increase to 60,000 by 2050. People with dementia are more likely to be taking medications for a range of diseases and/or illnesses than people without dementia, moreover, some of these comorbidity medications are likely to have anticholinergic properties. Dr Alan McMichael, Researcher from the Centre for Public Health at Queen’s University and first author on the paper, said: “The aim of this study was to examine the risk of mortality associated with anticholinergic use among those with dementia. We looked specifically at people in Northern Ireland as this had never been studied before. “We already know there is a link between anticholinergic use and a higher risk of developing dementia or cognitive impairment, but little is known about the link between anticholinergic use and whether they influence mortality rates among people with dementia.” To conduct the study, the researchers looked at data from the Enhanced Prescribing database for 25,418 people who were prescribed at least one dementia management medication between 2010 and 2016. Information was also extracted on the number of times each available anticholinergic drug was prescribed between 2010 and 2016, allowing the calculation of an overall anticholinergic burden (which refers to the cumulative effect of taking one or more medications with anticholinergic activity). Statistical models were then used to estimate the effects of anticholinergic medication on survival, whilst multilevel model regression determined what demographic characteristics influence overall anticholinergic burden. The study found that higher anticholinergic burden in people with dementia was associated with significantly higher mortality rates in comparison to people with dementia who had no anticholinergic burden. The researchers found of the 25,418 people with dementia, only 15 per cent had no anticholinergic burden. Diazepam (42 per cent) and risperidone (18 per cent) were found to be the two most commonly prescribed drugs and respiratory and urological drugs in particular significantly increased mortality rates among people with dementia. The results also found people with dementia living in areas with low levels of deprivation had a significantly lower anticholinergic burden while those living in rural areas had a higher anticholinergic burden compared to those living in urban areas. Dr Bernadette McGuinness, Researcher from the Centre for Public Health at Queen’s, Consultant Geriatrician at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and senior author on the paper, said: “Our study has shown that drugs with a high anticholinergic burden increase mortality in people with dementia. These findings are especially important for the people of Northern Ireland but, are also highly relevant for people with dementia, their families, carers and healthcare professionals world-wide. Persons Bernadette McGuinness, Alan McMichael, Evi Zafeiridi, Peter Passmore, Emma Cunningham