Cognitive impact of anticholinergic and sedative burden in people with HIV

This study aims to estimate the extent to which anticholinergic and sedative burden is associated with cognitive ability and self-reported cognitive difficulties (SCD) in middle-aged and older adults living with HIV.

This cross-sectional analysis examined data from the inaugural visit of participants enrolled in the Positive Brain Health Now (BHN) study.

Cognitive ability was measured using the Brief Cognitive Ability Measure (B-CAM; higher is better) and SCD using the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ; higher is worse). Medication burden was quantified using several scoring systems, including the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB), Anticholinergic and Sedative Burden Catalog (ACSBC), Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS), Anticholinergic Risk Scale (ARS), and the Sedative Load Model (SLM). Multivariable Ordinary Least Squares and quantile regression were utilized to estimate average effects and distribution-specific impacts, respectively.

Of 824 participants (mean age 53 years, 84.7% men), 41.4% used anticholinergics (ACSBC) and 39% used sedatives (SLM). High anticholinergic burden was linked to worse cognitive ability [ β = -3.81; 95% confidence interval (CI): -7.16, -0.46] and SCD ( β = 3.89; 95% CI: 1.08, 6.71). Using three or more anticholinergics worsened cognitive ability ( β = -4.45; 95% CI: -8.54, -0.35), and using three or more sedatives increased SCD ( β  = 4.35; 95% CI: 0.92-7.78). Stronger negative associations were observed in participants with lower cognitive ability and more difficulties.

These results suggest that anticholinergic and sedative burden may contribute to cognitive impairment in people with HIV. Personalized medication management and regular cognitive assessments could mitigate these adverse effects.