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 valueSedatives (n=235)Mean difference (95% CI)P valueSedatives 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)
0.6727.5
(24.8, 30.2)
−1.92
(−3.54 to 0.30)
0.02028.3
(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)
0.01318.6
(16.9, 20.3)
−0.01
(−1.14 to 1.12)
0.9917.8
(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)
0.00380.7
(0.6, 0.7)
−0.05
(−0.10 to 0.01)
0.00980.6
(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)
0.02214.6
(12.9, 16.3)
0.49
(−0.41 to 1.4)
0.2914.6
(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)
0.250.7
(0.5, 0.9)
0.05
(−0.08 to 0.19)
0.430.7
(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)
0.0201.4
(1.0, 1.7)
0.23
(0.01 to 0.45)
0.0431.6
(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)
0.8426.7
(26.0, 27.5)
0.34
(−0.18 to 0.86)
0.2026.6
(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.