Delirium is a sudden onset and temporary state of disturbed consciousness or cognition, occurring due to underlying medical issues like fever or alcohol withdrawal. It is most common among older hospitalized adults aged 75 years or above, leading to increased risk of falls, dementia, low life expectancy, and high healthcare expenses. Non-pharmacological approaches to prevent or reduce delirium are time-consuming, hard to implement, and partially effective.
So, pharmacological interventions offer hope. Insomnia, a significant risk factor for delirium, could be alleviated with sleep-promoting medications. However, not all medications are suitable.
Some may aggravate delirium. Interestingly, suvorexant (an orexin receptor antagonist) promotes sleep by blocking a neuropeptide called orexin that regulates wakefulness. This mechanism could prevent delirium, as shown by many studies.
Against this backdrop, a team of researchers involving Professor Kotaro Hatta from the Department of Psychiatry at Juntendo University Nerima Hospital in Tokyo, Japan, tested whether suvorexant can reduce delirium in older adults at high risk for delirium after hospitalization. The research team included Dr. Yasuhiro Kishi from Nippon Medical School Musashikosugi Hospital, Dr.
Ken Wada from Hiroshima City Hiroshima Citizens Hospital, Dr. Takashi Takeuchi from Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital, Dr. Toshihiro Taira from Fukuyama City Hospital, Dr.
Keiichi Uemura from Tonan Hospital, Dr. Asao Og.