Table 3.
Adjusted means (95% CI) of physical function and cognitive function according to use of medicines with anticholinergic or sedative properties
| Non-users (n=1133) | Anticholinergics (n=383) | Mean difference (95% CI) | P value | Sedatives (n=235) | Mean difference (95% CI) | P value | Sedatives and anticholinergics (n=336) | Mean difference (95% CI) | P value | |
| Physical function | ||||||||||
| Grip strength, male* | 29.4 (27.1, 31.8) |
29.2 (26.8, 31.6) |
−0.27 (−1.47 to 0.94) |
0.67 | 27.5 (24.8, 30.2) |
−1.92 (−3.54 to 0.30) |
0.020 | 28.3 (25.7, 30.8) |
−1.18 (−2.68 to 0.32) |
0.12 |
| Grip strength, female* | 18.6 (17.1, 20.1) |
17.2 (15.5, 18.8) |
−1.43 (−2.56 to 0.31) |
0.013 | 18.6 (16.9, 20.3) |
−0.01 (−1.14 to 1.12) |
0.99 | 17.8 (16.3, 19.3) |
−0.80 (−1.76 to 0.15) |
0.100 |
| Walking speed† | 0.7 (0.7, 0.8) |
0.7 (0.6, 0.7) |
−0.05 (−0.09 to 0.02) |
0.0038 | 0.7 (0.6, 0.7) |
−0.05 (−0.10 to 0.01) |
0.0098 | 0.6 (0.6, 0.7) |
−0.08 (−0.11 to 0.04) |
<0.001 |
| Chair stands† | 14.1 (12.5, 15.6) |
15.0 (13.4, 16.5) |
0.90 (0.13 to 1.68) |
0.022 | 14.6 (12.9, 16.3) |
0.49 (−0.41 to 1.4) |
0.29 | 14.6 (12.9, 16.2) |
0.48 (−0.32 to 1.28) |
0.24 |
| ADL† | 0.6 (0.5, 0.8) |
0.7 (0.5, 0.9) |
0.07 (−0.05 to 0.18) |
0.25 | 0.7 (0.5, 0.9) |
0.05 (−0.08 to 0.19) |
0.43 | 0.7 (0.5, 0.9) |
0.04 (−0.08 to 0.16) |
0.48 |
| IADL† | 1.1 (0.9, 1.4) |
1.4 (1.1, 1.7) |
0.22 (0.04 to 0.41) |
0.020 | 1.4 (1.0, 1.7) |
0.23 (0.01 to 0.45) |
0.043 | 1.6 (1.3, 1.9) |
0.42 (0.22 to 0.61) |
<0.001 |
| Cognitive function | ||||||||||
| MMSE‡ | 26.4 (25.7, 27.1) |
26.5 (25.7, 27.2) |
0.05 (−0.40 to 0.49) |
0.84 | 26.7 (26.0, 27.5) |
0.34 (−0.18 to 0.86) |
0.20 | 26.6 (25.9, 27.3) |
0.24 (−0.22 to 0.70) |
0.31 |
Grip strength (kg)—a higher value indicates stronger muscle strength. Walking speed (m/s)—a higher value indicates faster walking speed. Chair stands (s)—a higher value indicates slower time required to complete chair stands. ADL and IADL—a higher value indicates higher impairment.
*Adjusted for age, body mass index, residential status, smoking status, cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms and functional comorbidity index.
†Adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, residential status, smoking status, cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms and functional comorbidity index.
‡Adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, residential status, smoking status, depressive symptoms and functional comorbidity index.
ADL, activities of daily living; IADL, instrumental activities of daily living; MMSE, Mini-Mental State Examination.