Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health
Search Icon Created with Sketch.
Icons / Login Created with Sketch.
Icons / User Created with Sketch.
Search Icon Created with Sketch.

Implications of anti-cholinergic effects of medicines in older women

Approved: 2010

Collaborators:

  • Prof Lynne Parkinson
  • Dr Xenia Dolja-Gore
  • Dr Jane Robertson
  • Prof Parker Magin
  • Dr Jennifer Stewart Williams
  • Prof Dimity Pond
  • Ms Susan Goode
  • Dr Colin McCowan
  • Dr Thomas Lo
  • A/Prof Christopher Etherton-Beer
  • Dr Gillian Caughey
  • Dr Allison Thomsen
  • Prof Rachael Moorin
  • Dr Danijela Gnjidic
  • A/Prof Sarah Hilmer
  • Prof Andrew McLachlan
  • A/Prof Julie Redfern

Synopsis

Many common medicines used by older people have anticholinergic effects – such as dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and confusion. This study will establish the role of “anticholinergic burden” from medicines in risk for serious adverse health outcomes in older women, using Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health data. The findings will have important implications for prescribing practice and for prevention of disability and adverse events among community-living older people.