Community pharmacists' knowledge of, and role in, managing anticholinergic burden among patients with dementia in primary care: a cross-sectional survey study.

Background: Anticholinergic medications and associated anticholinergic burden can impair cognitive function and increase mortality rates in patients with dementia.

Aim: To explore community pharmacists' knowledge of anticholinergic burden and perceptions of their role in anticholinergic burden management amongst patients with dementia.

Method: A self-administered, postal questionnaire was distributed to all registered community pharmacies in Northern Ireland (n = 526) on two occasions (October and November 2022).

Carers' experiences and perspectives of the use of anticholinergic medications in people living with dementia: Analysis of an online discussion forum.

Introduction: There is concern about the use of anticholinergic medications in people living with dementia (PLWD). Such medicines may increase cognitive decline and may be associated with higher mortality in PLWD who take these medicines. The aim of this study was to analyse data from an online dementia discussion forum to explore the experiences and perspectives of PLWD and carers about the use of anticholinergic medicines in this population.

A systematic review of interventions to reduce anticholinergic burden in older people with dementia in primary care.

Objective: This systematic review aimed to assess the types and effectiveness of interventions that sought to reduce anticholinergic burden (ACB) in people with dementia (PwD) in primary care.

Methods: One trial registry and eight electronic databases were systematically searched to identify eligible English language studies from inception until December 2021. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to be randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or non-randomised studies (NRS), including controlled before-and-after studies and interrupted time-series studies, of interventions to reduce ACB in PwD aged ≥65 years (either community-dwelling or care home residents).