Association of Anticholinergic Drug Burden With Cognitive and Functional Decline Over Time in Dementia With Lewy Bodies: 1-Year Follow-Up Study

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between anticholinergic burden (ACB), and cognitive and functional alterations in patients with dementia of Lewy bodies (DLB) during a 1-year follow-up period. Methods: This cohort study included patients diagnosed with DLB admitted to a tertiary geriatric outpatient clinic. Cognition, functional performance, and nutritional status were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months during the follow-up period. The ACB was evaluated, and participants were grouped as ACB >= 1 and ACB=0. Results: A total of 112 patients with DLB (mean age, 79.3 +/- 6.8 years; 50.9% female) were included. The mean number of medications was 5.1 +/- 4, 56.9% of participants had polypharmacy, and 55.2% had an anticholinergic drug burden. Individuals with ACB >= 1 had lower instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scores at baseline than those with ACB=0 (P=0.014). The Barthel index and Lawton-Brody IADL scores significantly decreased in the ACB >= 1 group on repetitive measurements over time, whereas only the Lawton-Brody IADL scores worsened in the ACB=0 group (all P<0.001). There were no significant differences in cognitive scores and Mini-Mental State Examination subdomains between the groups. The dependent variable repetitive test revealed a significant deterioration in the orientation subdomain in the ACB >= 1 group over time (P=0.001). Multivariable regression models showed no significant effect of ACB score on cognitive and functional impairment. Conclusion: Our study provides evidence that the use of anticholinergic drugs in this vulnerable population may potentially increase the morbidity by adversely affecting functional status and cognitive orientation.