• Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · Apr 2007

    Randomized Controlled Trial

    A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept) for reducing the incidence of postoperative delirium after elective total hip replacement.

    • Elizabeth L Sampson, Peter R Raven, Patricia N Ndhlovu, Aaron Vallance, Nicholas Garlick, Julie Watts, Martin R Blanchard, Angela Bruce, Robert Blizard, and Craig W Ritchie.
    • Metabolic and Clinical Trials Unit, Department of Mental Health Sciences, Royal Free & University College Medical School, London, UK. e.sampson@medsch.ucl.ac.uk
    • Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2007 Apr 1;22(4):343-9.

    ObjectivesThis was a pilot, phase 2a study to assess methodological feasibility and the safety and efficacy of donepezil in preventing postoperative delirium after elective total hip replacement surgery in older people without pre-existing dementia. The hypothesis was that donepezil would reduce the incidence of postoperative delirium.MethodsA double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group randomized trial was undertaken. Patients were block randomized pre-operatively to receive placebo or donepezil 5 mg immediately following surgery and every 24 h thereafter for a further three days. The main outcome was the incidence of delirium (using the Delirium Symptom Interview). The secondary outcome was length of hospital stay.ResultsThirty-three patients (mean age 67 years; 17 males, 16 females) completed the study (19 donepezil, 14 placebo). Donepezil was well tolerated with no serious adverse events. Postoperative delirium occurred in 21.2% of subjects. Donepezil did not significantly reduce the incidence of delirium. The unadjusted risk ratio (donepezil vs placebo) for delirium was 0.29 (95% CI = 0.06,1.30) (chi(2) ([1]) = 3.06; p = 0.08). Mean length of hospital stay was 9.9 days for the donepezil group vs 12.1 days in the placebo group; difference in means = -2.2 days (95% CI = -0.39,4.78) (t([31]) = 1.73: p = 0.09).ConclusionsThe experimental paradigm was feasible and acceptable. Donepezil did not significantly reduce the incidence of delirium or length of hospital stay, however for both outcomes there was a consistent trend suggesting possible benefit. The sample size required for a definitive trial (99% power, alpha 0.05) would be 95 subjects per arm.

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