ArticleAge and ageing2021
The effect of opioids on the cognitive function of older adults: results from the Personality and Total Health through life study.
Article in Age and ageing, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed, 22 citations in OpenAlex.
- Opioid use disorder and dementia risk: evidence from observational and genetic analyses in diverse ancestry cohorts.Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association · 2026Article
- High-impact pain predicts subjective cognitive decline and interacts with APOE4 genotype in the development of objective cognitive impairment.The journal of pain · 2025Article
- Opioid use disorder, pain, and cognitive impairment in older adults who have experienced homelessness.Innovation in aging · 2025Article
- Opioids and Dementia in the Danish Population.JAMA network open · 2024Article
- Tramadol use and incident dementia in older adults with musculoskeletal pain: a population-based retrospective cohort study.Scientific reports · 2024Article
- Factors associated with fall risk increasing drug use in older black and white men and women: the Health ABC Study.BMC geriatrics · 2024Article
- Correlates of neurocognitive performance in older adults with chronic pain and negative emotions: baseline data from the problem adaptation therapy for pain (PATH-pain) randomized controlled trial.Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- Post-COVID cognitive dysfunction: current status and research recommendations for high risk population.The Lancet regional health. Western Pacific · 2023Review
- Tau protein plays a role in the mechanism of cognitive disorders induced by anesthetic drugs.Frontiers in neuroscience · 2023Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundchronic pain, a common complaint among older adults, affects physical and mental well-being. While opioid use for pain management has increased over the years, pain management in older adults remains challenging, due to potential severe adverse effects of opioids in this population.
objectivewe examined the association between opioid use, and changes in cognitive function of older adults.
designprospective study.
settingcommunity dwelling older adults. SUBJECTS: study population consisted of 2,222 individuals aged 65-69 years at baseline from the Personality and Total Health Through Life Study in Australia.
methodsmedication data were obtained from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Cognitive measures were obtained from neuropsychological battery assessment. Opioid exposure was quantified as Total Morphine Equivalent Dose (MED). The association between change in cognitive function between Wave 2 and Wave 3, and cumulative opioid use was assessed through generalized linear models.
resultscumulative opioid exposure exceeding total MED of 2,940 was significantly associated with poorer performance in the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Compared with those not on opioids, individuals exposed to opioids resulting in cumulative total MED of greater than 2,940 had significantly lower scores in the MMSE (Model 1: β = -0.34, Model 2: β = -0.35 and Model 3: β = -0.39, P < 0.01). Performance in other cognitive assessments was not associated with opioid use.
conclusionprolonged opioid use in older adults can affect cognitive function, further encouraging the need for alternative pain management strategies in this population. Pain management options should not adversely affect healthy ageing trajectories and cognitive health.
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Registered trials
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