A comparison of anticholinergic burden in older patients with and without cancer.

To compare anticholinergic burden (ACB) in older patients with and without cancer and evaluate the effects of ACB on geriatric syndromes. A total of 291 patients from the geriatric clinic and 301 patients from the oncology clinic were evaluated. ACB <2 was categorized as low ACB and ACB ≥2 was categorized as high ACB. A comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed on patients from the geriatric clinic. ACB scores were significantly higher in patients without cancer compared with those with cancer (p < 0.005). Number of falls and Geriatric Depression Scale 15 scores were higher and Mini-Nutritional Assessment and Barthel/Lawton activities of daily living scores were lower in geriatric patients with high ACB scores compared with those with low ACB scores (p < 0.005). It is crucial to understand the potential effects of ACB for rational drug use and optimum cancer management in older patients with cancer.