An open-label study of quetiapine for delirium.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of quetiapine treatment in patients with delirium.


METHODS
All patients with delirium were assessed. The diagnosis of delirium was confirmed by using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Quetiapine at the dose between 25 and 100 mg/day was given for 7 days. The efficacy of quetiapine on delirium was evaluated by using the Delirium Rating Scale (DRS) and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity scale (CGI-S). The extrapyramidal side effects were assessed by using the Modified (9-item) Simpson-Angus Scale (MSAS).


RESULTS
Twenty-two patients had delirium. Seventeen (10 males and 7 females) subjects with a mean age (SD) of 55.6 (18.6) years were included in the present study. Means (SDs) dose and duration (SD) of quetiapine treatment were 45.7 (28.7) mg/day and 6.5 (2.0) days, respectively. The DRS and CGI-S scores of days 2-7 were significantly lower than those of day 0 (p < 0. 001) for all comparisons). Only two subjects were shown to have mild tremor.


CONCLUSIONS
Quetiapine within the range of 25-100 mg/day improves delirious condition within 24 hours of treatment. It is well-tolerated and has a very low propensity to induce extrapyramidal side effects. Further randomized, placebo-controlled trials are warranted.
Department of Psychiatry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. bkhongsa@mail.med.cmu.ac.th
Benchalak
B
Maneeton
Narong
N
Maneeton
Manit
M
Srisurapanont
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases; D003693:Delirium / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate