What is it about?
To review the evidence-base of melatonin use for the prevention of delirium in hospitalised patient
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Why is it important?
Melatonin is an endogenous hormone, which regulates circadian rhythms and promotes sleep. In recent years, several randomised controlled trials examining the prophylactic use of melatonin to prevent delirium were published with conflicting findings. Whilst the roles of that melatonin plays in the prevention of delirium are desirable, a systematic review and meta-analysis is warranted before recommendations on the use of melatonin in hospitalised patients can be made.
Perspectives
This review detected high degree of heterogeneity, low level of evidence and inconclusive TSA. It neither supports nor opposes the use of melatonin for the prevention of delirium in hospitalised patients. Thus, future adequately powered trials are warranted to provide more certainty on the use of melatonin for the prevention of delirium.
Dr Ka Ting Ng
University of Malaya
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The effect of melatonin on delirium in hospitalised patients: A systematic review and meta-analyses with trial sequential analysis, Journal of Clinical Anesthesia, February 2020, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2019.06.027.
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