Journal article
Prophylactic melatonin for delirium in intensive care (Pro-MEDIC): A randomized controlled trial
Intensive Care Medicine
2022
Abstract
Purpose
Delirium is common in the critically ill, highly distressing to patients and families and associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Results of studies on preventative use of melatonin in various patient groups have produced mixed results. The aim of this study was to determine whether administration of melatonin decreases the prevalence of delirium in critically ill patients.
Methods
Multicentre, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial across 12 Australian ICUs recruiting patients from July 2016 to September 2019. Patients of at least 18 years requiring ICU admission with an expected length of stay (LOS) greater than 72 h; enrolled within 48 h of ICU admission. Indistinguishable liquid melatonin (4 mg; n = 419) or placebo (n = 422) was administered enterally at 21:00 h for 14 consecutive nights or until ICU discharge. The primary outcome was the proportion of delirium-free assessments, as a marker of delirium prevalence, within 14 days or before ICU discharge. Delirium was assessed twice daily using the Confusion Assessment Method for ICU (CAM-ICU) score. Secondary outcomes included sleep quality and quantity, hospital and ICU LOS, and hospital and 90-day mortality.
Results
A total of 847 patients were randomized into the study with 841 included in data analysis. Baseline characteristics of the participants were similar. There was no significant difference in the average proportion of delirium-free assessments per patient between the melatonin and placebo groups (79.2 vs 80% respectively, p = 0.547). There was no significant difference in any secondary outcomes including ICU LOS (median: 5 vs 5 days, p = 0.135), hospital LOS (median: 14 vs 12 days, p = 0816), mortality at any time point including at 90 days (15.5 vs 15.6% p = 0.948), nor in the quantity or quality of sleep. There were no serious adverse events reported in either group.
Conclusion
Enteral melatonin initiated within 48 h of ICU admission did not reduce the prevalence of delirium compared to placebo. These findings do not support the routine early use of melatonin in the critically ill.
Details
- Title
- Prophylactic melatonin for delirium in intensive care (Pro-MEDIC): A randomized controlled trial
- Authors/Creators
- B. Wibrow (Author/Creator) - Sir Charles Gairdner HospitalF.E. Martinez (Author/Creator) - John Hunter HospitalE. Myers (Author/Creator) - Sir Charles Gairdner HospitalA. Chapman (Author/Creator) - Royal Perth HospitalE. Litton (Author/Creator) - St John of God Subiaco HospitalK.M. Ho (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaA. Regli (Author/Creator) - St John of God Murdoch HospitalD. Hawkins (Author/Creator) - Intensive Care Unit, Joondalup Health Campus, Joondalup, WA, Australia.A. Ford (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaF.M.P. van Haren (Author/Creator)S. Wyer (Author/Creator) - Gosford HospitalJ. McCaffrey (Author/Creator) - Barwon HealthA. Rashid (Author/Creator) - Mater Health ServicesE. Kelty (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaK. Murray (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaM. Anstey (Author/Creator) - Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
- Publication Details
- Intensive Care Medicine
- Publisher
- Springer Verlag
- Identifiers
- 991005540658807891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.154 Assisted Ventilation
- 1.154.1403 Delirium
- Web Of Science research areas
- Critical Care Medicine
- ESI research areas
- Clinical Medicine