Table 3.
Summary of Results From the Included Studies.
| Name of the Study | Delirium Rating Scales | Outcomes | Tolerability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liptzin et al 28 | CAM; DSI | There was no difference in the incidence (P = .69), duration of delirium (P = .12), and the length of hospital stay (P = .09) between the 2 groups | Donepezil was as well tolerated as placebo, although one-fourth of the study participants discontinued the medications in both groups after randomization |
| Sampson et al 29 | DSI | The incidence of delirium (P = .08) and the length of hospital stay (P = .09) showed a trend toward benefit for the donepezil group when compared to the placebo group, although both outcomes did not attain statistical significance | Donepezil was as well tolerated as placebo with no serious adverse events reported |
| Gamberini et al 30 | CAM | There was no difference between the 2 groups on the incidence (P = .8), duration of delirium (P = .3), or the length of hospital stay (P = .3) | Rivastigmine was as well tolerated as placebo |
| Overshott et al 31 | CAM | More individuals in the rivastigmine group responded to treatment (P = .03) when compared to the placebo group, but the duration of delirium was no different (P = .5) between the 2 groups | Rivastigmine was as well tolerated as placebo |
| van Eijk et al 32 | CAM-ICU; DSI | The duration of delirium (P = .06) and the length of hospital stay (P = .0.06) were longer in the haloperidol plus rivastigmine group compared to the haloperidol and placebo group | Three times more individuals died in the rivastigmine group when compared to the placebo group (P = .07) |
| Marcantonio et al 33 | CAM; DSI; MDAS | The incidence (P = .9) and duration of delirium (P = 1.0) were no different between the 2 groups | The total number of side effects, insomnia, and diarrhea were greater in the donepezil group when compared to the placebo group (P = .04) |
| Zaslavsky et al 34 | CAM | There was no difference in the incidence of delirium (P = 0.8) between the 2 groups | The study was stopped prematurely as there were concerns about mortality with rivastigmine from a previous study |
Abbreviations: CAM, Confusion Assessment Method; CAM-ICU, Confusion Assessment Method for the intensive care unit; DSI, Delirium Symptom Interview; MDAS, Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale.