Effect of anticholinergic medications on the risk of dementia: a Protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract Introduction: The most kind of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer’s is a type of degenerative cerebrovascular disorder which exacerbates over time. Meanwhile, anticholinergic drugs can potentially modify the risk factors. As different studies have achieved different results and the clinical findings of these interventions have not been conclusive, the objective of this research will be to evaluate the effect of anticholinergic drugs on the risk of dementia.Materials& Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis with no language limitation between 1988.12.15 and 2020.12.15 will search WoS, EMBASE, MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest electronic databases and grey literature. Our search strategy with suitability criteria evaluating the effect of anticholinergic drugs on the risk of dementia. Two authors will independently implement the selection phases, data extraction, and quality assessment. Any discrepancies between reviewers will be resolved by consensus; otherwise, the viewpoint of a third specialist person will be applied. The reviewers will evaluate the risk of bias using NOS. We will conduct a meta-analysis with Random Effect Model or Fixed Effect Model according to severity of methodological heterogeneity. The results will be presented via the forest plot for the composition of final studies’ data, to demonstrate the separated and combined frequency and their corresponding 95% CIs and summary tables and narrative summaries. Using I2 statistics and the Q-statistic test, the statistical heterogeneity will be evaluated. For evaluating the possible reporting bias, the Funnel plot will be used; also Begg's and Egger's tests will be applied for significant results of the publication bias, and the Fill & Trim method for reformed publication bias. Ethical and dissemination: The systematic review findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and will also be presented at national/international academic and clinical conferences.PROSPRO Registration: CRD42020219612