Polypharmacy and anticholinergic burden as risk factors for postoperative delirium in surgical medicine
Moellmann, H.L.; Boulghoudan, S.; Kuhlmann, J.; Rahm, L.; Frohnhofen, H. · Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie · 2025 · Heft 3 · S. 203 bis 208
Bibliografische Angaben
Zusammenfassung
IntroductionThe incidence and prevalence of postoperative delirium (POD) in older people are substantial, making the syndrome a significant healthcare challenge. The incidence of POD in older patients (depending on various factors, i.e. specific surgical procedure and preoperative condition) ranges from 10% to 50% [1]. Factors such as advanced age, comorbidities, severity of surgery, duration of anesthesia, perioperative complications and the use of anticholinergic medication can increase the risk of POD [2, 3]. Anticholinergic medication acts by blocking the effect of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine on choli…
