Premium
Drugs with Anticholinergic Properties as a Risk Factor for Psychosis in Patients Affected by Alzheimer's Disease
Author(s) -
Cancelli I,
Valentinis L,
Merlino G,
Valente M,
Gigli GL
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1038/sj.clpt.6100435
Subject(s) - anticholinergic , psychosis , medicine , disease , risk factor , alzheimer's disease , psychiatry
Emerging evidence suggests that psychosis in persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) may be linked to the cholinergic deficit associated with the disease. This study sought to evaluate whether anticholinergic (ACH) drugs could be a risk factor for psychosis onset. A total of 230 patients affected with probable AD were recruited. Data on behavioral and psychological symptoms were collected using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory, and diagnosis of psychosis was performed. Patients were divided into those who used ACH drugs and those who used non‐ACH drugs. Those using ACH drugs (18.3%) were more likely to have psychosis than those using non‐ACH drugs (odds ratio (OR)=2.52; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.27–5.00); this association remained significant even after adjusting for potential confounding variables (OR=2.13; 95% CI, 1.03–4.43). Our data suggest that patients with AD are frequently treated with ACH drugs and that ACH drug intake should be regarded as a potential risk factor for psychosis. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2008); 84 , 1, 63–68 doi: 10.1038/sj.clpt.6100435