Citation

Ablett AD, Wood AD, Barr R, Guillot J, Black AJ, Macdonald HM, Reid DM, Myint PK. Ann. Epidemiol. 2018; 28(8): 557-562.e2.

Affiliation

Ageing Clinical & Experimental Research (ACER) Team, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences, and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, UK; Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, University of Aberdeen, UK; NHS Grampian, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK. Electronic address: phyo.myint@abdn.ac.uk.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, American College of Epidemiology, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.annepidem.2018.05.011

PMID

29937404

Abstract

PURPOSE: To examine the cross-sectional association between anticholinergic medication burden (ACB) and a history of falls, bone mineral density, and low trauma fractures in middle-aged women aged under 65 years from the Aberdeen Prospective Osteoporosis Screening Study.

METHODS: ACB (0 = none, 1 = possible, ≥2 = definite) was calculated from medication use for 3883 Caucasian women [mean age (SD) = 54.3 (2.3) years] attending the second Aberdeen Prospective Osteoporosis Screening Study visit (1997-2000). Outcomes were examined using logistic regression. Model adjustments were selected a priori based on expert opinion.

RESULTS: Of 3883 participants, 3293 scored ACB = 0, 328 scored ACB = 1, and 262 scored ACB ≥2. High ACB burden (≥2) was associated with increased odds (ACB = 0 reference) for falls (fully adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence intervals] = 1.81 [1.25-2.62]; P = 0.002) and having low bone mineral density (lowest quintile-20%) at Ward's triangle (3.22 [1.30-7.99]; P = 0.01). A history of falls over the year prior to the study visit in participants with ACB score ≥2 was 32 per 100. For ACB categories 1 and 0, a history of falls per 100 was 21 and 22, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: The risk of falling associated with ACB observed in older age may also extend to middle-aged women.

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Anti-cholinergic; Bone mineral density; Epidemiology; Falls; Fracture; Middle age; Women