The effects of melatonin versus placebo on delirium in hip fracture patients: study protocol of a randomised, placebo-controlled, double blind trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate whether melatonin (3 mg) could prevent delirium in older postoperative hip fracture patients compared to placebo.
Results Summary
The abstract describes the study design but does not report results, as the trial is still in progress. The primary outcome is delirium occurrence, with secondary outcomes including severity, duration, and long-term cognitive and functional status.
Population
Acutely hospitalized patients aged 65+ admitted for surgical hip fracture repair (n=452).
Effective Dosage
3 mg melatonin orally at 21:00 h for five consecutive days.
Duration
Five days.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
melatonin | neutral | delirium | older, postoperative hip fracture patients | - | investigates the effects of | #1 |
melatonin | neutral | - | Acutely hospitalised patients aged 65 years or older admitted for surgical repair of hip fracture | 3 mg | Prophylactic treatment consists of | #2 |
melatonin | neutral | delirium | Acutely hospitalised patients aged 65 years or older admitted for surgical repair of hip fracture | - | primary outcome is the occurrence of | #3 |
melatonin | neutral | delirium severity | Acutely hospitalised patients aged 65 years or older admitted for surgical repair of hip fracture | - | secondary outcomes are | #4 |
melatonin | neutral | duration of delirium | Acutely hospitalised patients aged 65 years or older admitted for surgical repair of hip fracture | - | secondary outcomes are | #5 |
melatonin | neutral | differences in subtypes of delirium | Acutely hospitalised patients aged 65 years or older admitted for surgical repair of hip fracture | - | secondary outcomes are | #6 |
melatonin | neutral | differences in total length of hospital stay | Acutely hospitalised patients aged 65 years or older admitted for surgical repair of hip fracture | - | secondary outcomes are | #7 |
melatonin | neutral | total dose of antipsychotics and/or benzodiazepine use during delirium | Acutely hospitalised patients aged 65 years or older admitted for surgical repair of hip fracture | - | secondary outcomes are | #8 |
melatonin | neutral | in-hospital complications | Acutely hospitalised patients aged 65 years or older admitted for surgical repair of hip fracture | - | secondary outcomes are | #9 |
melatonin | neutral | cognitive function | Acutely hospitalised patients aged 65 years or older admitted for surgical repair of hip fracture | - | cognitive function is measured by | #10 |
melatonin | neutral | Functional status | Acutely hospitalised patients aged 65 years or older admitted for surgical repair of hip fracture | - | Functional status is assessed with | #11 |
BACKGROUND: With an ageing population, older persons become a larger part of the hospital population. The incidence of delirium is high in this group, and experiencing delirium has major short- and long-term sequelae, which makes prevention crucial. During delirium, a disruption of the sleep-wake cycle is frequently observed. Melatonin plays an important role in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle, so this raised the hypothesis that alterations in the metabolism of melatonin might play an important role in the development of delirium. The aim of this article is to describe the design of a randomised, placebo controlled double-blind trial that is currently in progress and that investigates the effects of melatonin versus placebo on delirium in older, postoperative hip fracture patients. METHODS/DESIGN: Acutely hospitalised patients aged 65 years or older admitted for surgical repair of hip fracture are randomised (n=452) into a treatment or placebo group. Prophylactic treatment consists of orally administered melatonin (3 mg) at 21:00 h on five consecutive days. The primary outcome is the occurrence of delirium, to be diagnosed according to the Confusion Assessment Method, within eight days after start of the study medication. Secondary outcomes are delirium severity, measured by the Delirium Rating Scale; duration of delirium; differences in subtypes of delirium; differences in total length of hospital stay; total dose of antipsychotics and/or benzodiazepine use during delirium; and in-hospital complications. In the twelve-month follow up visit, cognitive function is measured by a Mini-Mental state examination and the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly. Functional status is assessed with the Katz ADL index score (patient and family version) and grip strength measurement. The outcomes of these assessments are compared to the outcomes that were obtained during admission. DISCUSSION: The proposed study will contribute to our knowledge because studies on the prophylactic treatment of delirium with long term follow up remain scarce. The results may lead to a prophylactic treatment for frail older persons at high risk for delirium that is safe, effective, and easily implementable in daily practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch Clinical Trial Registry: NTR1576.