The Association Between Anticholinergic Burden and Treatment-Related Complications in Older Adults with… | ScholarDeck

Paper

The Association Between Anticholinergic Burden and Treatment-Related Complications in Older Adults with Cancer.

New research · Internal Medicine

Drugs & aging · 1mo

Cohort studyDrugs & aging· Aug 2026

The Association Between Anticholinergic Burden and Treatment-Related Complications in Older Adults with Cancer.

Edwin J Brokaar, Stella Trompet, Johanneke E A Portielje … Frederiek van den Bos

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GeriatricsCohort studyClinical practiceQ1IF 4.5

High anticholinergic burden is associated with higher odds of severe toxicity in older adults.

The Association Between Anticholinergic Burden and Treatment-Related Complications in Older Adults with Cancer.

Edwin J Brokaar … Frederiek van den Bos

Drugs & aging · Aug 2026

Background

The Anticholinergic Burden (Anticholinergic Burden) score quantifies the cumulative anticholinergic effects of all medications.

Purpose

This study investigates the association between the Anticholinergic Burden-score and treatment-related toxicity (grade ≥ 3), functional decline, and emergency room (emergency room) visits or hospitalization in older adults with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy.

Methods

Data from the Triage of Elderly Needing Treatment study were used and patients aged ≥ 70 years were included before start of chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy.

n = 434 patients

OR 1.99

Results

OR 1.99

High anticholinergic burden means nearly twice the odds of severe toxicity in older adults

n = 434 patients

More results

Grade ≥ 3 toxicity occurred more frequently in the high Anticholinergic Burden group (OR 2.04, p = 0.013).

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Conclusion

High Anticholinergic Burden is associated with poorer outcomes in older adults with cancer in addition to the known risk for toxicity of frailty.

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