Abstract
Objectives:
Many medications have cognitive impairment, memory loss, amnesia, or
dementia as side effects (“cognitive side effects” hereafter), but
little is known about trends in the prevalence of these medications or
their implications for population-level cognitive impairment.
Method:
We use data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
(1999–2016) to describe trends in the use of medications with cognitive
side effects among adults aged 60+ (N = 16,937) and their
implications for cognitive functioning (measured using word learning and
recall, animal fluency, and digit symbol substitution assessments).
Results:
Between 1999 to 2000 and 2015 to 2016, the prevalence of older adults
taking one, two, and at least three medications with cognitive side
effects increased by 10.2%, 57.3%, and 298.7%, respectively. Compared to
non-users, respondents who simultaneously used three or more
medications with cognitive side effects scored 0.22 to 0.27 standard
deviations lower in word learning and recall (p = .02), digit symbol substitution (p < .01), and the average standardized score of the three assessments (p < .001).
Limitation:
Dosage of medications associated with cognitive side effects was not measured.
Discussion:
Concurrent use of medications with cognitive side effects among older
adults has increased dramatically over the past two decades. The use of
such medications is associated with cognitive impairment and may explain
for disparities in cognitive function across subgroups. These findings
highlight the need for cognitive screenings among patients who consume
medications with cognitive side effects. They also highlight the
synergic effects of polypharmacy and potential drug-drug interactions
that result in cognitive deficits.
, Jason Schnittker, PhD
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