Table 1:
Characteristics of the Autopsy Sample, Overall and by Level of Cumulative Anticholinergic Exposure*,†
| Anticholinergic exposure (TSDD) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Participants | No use | 1 – 90 | 91 – 1095 | ≥1096 | |
| N (%) | N (%) | N (%) | N (%) | N (%) | |
| Total | 420 | 85 | 113 | 137 | 85 |
| Age at death, median (IQR) | 89 (84, 93) | 88 (84, 93) | 89 (84, 93) | 89 (84, 94) | 89 (85, 92) |
| Male | 179 (42.6) | 43 (50.6) | 52 (46.0) | 57 (41.6) | 27 (31.8) |
| At least some college | 275 (65.5) | 56 (65.9) | 71 (62.8) | 93 (67.9) | 55 (64.7) |
| Treated hypertension†† | 287 (68.3) | 50 (58.8) | 77 (68.1) | 93 (67.9) | 67 (78.8) |
| Diabetes** | 64 (15.2) | 7 (8.2) | 15 (13.3) | 23 (16.8) | 19 (22.4) |
| Stroke** | 107 (25.5) | 11 (12.9) | 27 (23.9) | 39 (28.5) | 30 (35.3) |
| Coronary artery disease*** | 148 (35.2) | 21 (24.7) | 41 (36.3) | 45 (32.9) | 41 (48.2) |
| Fair or poor self-rated health‡ | 141 (33.7) | 20 (23.5) | 32 (28.6) | 50 (36.5) | 39 (45.9) |
| High depressive symptoms (CESD score ≥ 10) ‡ | 89 (21.3) | 16 (18.8) | 15 (13.4) | 32 (23.5) | 26 (30.6) |
| Regular exercise‡,§ | 232 (55.4) | 46 (54.1) | 70 (62.5) | 75 (54.7) | 41(48.2) |
| Obese (BMI >30 kg/m2) ‡ | 50 (11.9) | 5 (5.9) | 10 (8.9) | 20 (14.6) | 15 (17.7) |
TSDD, Total Standardized Daily Dose; IQR, interquartile range; CESD, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale questionnaire.
Covariates assessed during the 10-year period prior to the index date during which anticholinergic medication exposure was assessed
Column percentages based on non-missing information. Only 3 autopsied participants were missing information on covariates in the outcome model.
From automated pharmacy data; having at least 2 fills of an antihypertensive medication within a 1 year window any time during the 10 year window prior to the index date
From medical record review.
From medical record review. Coronary artery disease was defined as history of myocardial infarction, angina, angioplasty, or coronary artery bypass grafting.
ACT study data at the last study visit prior to index date.
Defined as exercising for 15 or more minutes at least 3 times per week.