Background-It is estimated that by 2050, about 22% of the population will be over 60 years of age. And, across the geographies, the elderly population is the largest per capita medication consumers, especially the oldest old. Poorer physical performance falls, cognitive decline and death in the elderly are all related to a higher anticholinergic drug burden.Aim: To determine the anticholinergic burden in the elderly by using Drug Burden Index (DBI) Anticholinergic Risk Scale (ARS) and Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) scale.Methodology:A retrospective observational study was carried out from the database in an inpatient setting of a public teaching hospital. The analysis of 411 elderly patients' data, out of the pool of 564, forms the basis of this work. The parameters recorded were age, gender, comorbidities, and the total number of drugs prescribed. Analysis of the anticholinergic drugs prescribed was the backbone of the work.Results: Of the 411 patients, 170 were females and 241 (41.4% & 58.6%) were males. The mean (SD) age of patients was 70.46yrs (7.02) Patients were grouped into three classes viz. 60-69 yrs, 70-79 yrs, 80-89 yrs, and 90-99yrs. Almost half of the patients belonged to the 60-69yr group.
Conclusion:The scores from the Drug Burden Index (DBI), Anticholinergic Risk Scale (ARS), and Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) scales are closely linked to the health outcomes of elderly individuals, and they need to be used as a tool for deprescribing in the elderly. Prescribing to elderly also needs to focus on the patient specific factors.