Pilot clinical trial of gabapentin to decrease postoperative delirium in older patients

Neurology. 2006 Oct 10;67(7):1251-3. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000233831.87781.a9. Epub 2006 Aug 16.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Amines / therapeutic use*
  • Analgesics / therapeutic use
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / therapeutic use*
  • Delirium / etiology*
  • Delirium / prevention & control*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Gabapentin
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / adverse effects*
  • Pain Measurement / drug effects
  • Pain, Postoperative / etiology*
  • Pain, Postoperative / prevention & control*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Placebo Effect
  • Premedication / methods*
  • Spine / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Amines
  • Analgesics
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Gabapentin