Pilot clinical trial of gabapentin to decrease postoperative delirium in older patients.
In this randomized pilot clinical trial, the authors tested the hypothesis that using gabapentin as an add-on agent in the treatment of postoperative pain reduces the occurrence of postoperative delirium. Postoperative delirium occurred in 5/12 patients (42%) who received placebo vs 0/9 patients who received gabapentin, p = 0.045. The reduction in delirium appears to be secondary to the opioid-sparing effect of gabapentin.
Leung
J M
JM
Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0648, USA. leungj@anesthesia.ucsf.edu
Sands
L P
LP
Rico
M
M
Petersen
K L
KL
Rowbotham
M C
MC
Dahl
J B
JB
Ames
C
C
Chou
D
D
Weinstein
P
P
D000588:Amines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003693:Delirium / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015990:Placebo Effect; D011292:Premedication / Q000379:methods*; D013131:Spine / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin