The effect of anticholinergic burden on diabetes regulation in non-demented elderly

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of anticholinergic drug load on glucose metabolism and diabetes regulation in diabetic patients without dementia.

This study was designed as a cross-sectional descriptive study and was conducted with 232 patients who applied to Family Medicine outpatient clinics between April–May 2022. Biochemical parameters of the patients were evaluated. In addition, the Frailty Scale was used to determine their frailty, the Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale (KATZ) and the Lawton-Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL) were used to assess their level of dependence in their daily lives, and their nutritional status was assessed with the Mini Nutritional Questionnaire (MNA). The anticholinergic burden was calculated by Anticholinergic Burden (ACB) CALCULATOR. In statistical analyses, p < 0.05 was considered significant.

The mean age of the patients was 78.82 ± 6.68 years and 38.8% were male. A significant negative correlation was observed between ACB and KATZ (p = 0.025) and IADL (p = 0.019). Functioning in activities of daily living was found to be statistically significantly lower due to high ACB. No statistically significant relationship was found between HbA1C and ACB. Antiarrhythmic drugs were the most commonly used medication in 28.4% of the patients.

In our study, no relationship was found between ACB and diabetes regulation. However, we found decreased functionality in activities of daily living in patients with high anticholinergic drug load.