Australia; International; SA
High exposure to a type of drug often used to treat a range of medical conditions is linked to a faster decline in physical performance in older age, according to Australian and international research. Anticholinergic drugs are used to treat conditions including Parkinson’s disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bladder problems, and some antidepressants and antihistamines also have anticholinergic properties. The researchers monitored the change in walking speed and grip strength of over 4000 older adults over time and compared this with their exposure to anticholinergic medications over a decade. They say while grip strength appeared unaffected, a higher exposure to anticholinergics was linked to a greater decline in walking speed.
From:
About The Study: In this cohort study, higher anticholinergic exposure was associated with accelerated decline in physical performance, consistent with clinically meaningful decline. These findings suggest that minimizing anticholinergic medications is important for healthy aging.
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