Randomized phase II study of TJ-54 (Yokukansan) for postoperative delirium in gastrointestinal malignancy patients.
115 Background: Delirium is one of the common postoperative complications. When postoperative delirium occurred, the patient management becomes much more difficult, leading to functional recovery delay, and is also associated with postoperative mortality and morbidity. Although many attempts to prevent and treat delirium have been developed, a higher level of evidence is needed. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of TJ-54 (Yokukansan; one of the traditional Japanese medicines, Kampo) for the prevention and/or treatment of postoperative delirium in a randomized phase III trial for the patients receiving surgery for gastrointestinal malignancy. Methods: Patients 70 years of age or older, who were received surgery for gastrointestinal malignancy were eligible in this study. The 167 eligible patients were randomly assigned on a 1:1 ratio to receive TJ-54 or control during their perioperative care (between day 7 before surgery and day 4 after surgery). The signs and symptoms of delirium were assessed with using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV by the investigator during perioperative period. Results: We analyzed 167 eligible gastrointestinal malignancy patients (TJ-54; 83, control; 84). There were no disparities between the two PPS randomized groups. The incidence of delirium was 7.2% (6 patients) in the TJ-54 group and 10.7% (9 patients) in the control group with no significant difference (p=0.431), also no significant difference was observed in duration of delirium between the two groups (p=0.477). The ratio of patients who needed some kind of the medication which including treatment of delirium were significantly less in the TJ-54 group than in the control group (p=0.037). Conclusions: In this study, TJ-54 did not demonstrate the contribution to prevention of occurring delirium in the patients receiving surgery for gastrointestinal malignancy. However, TJ-54 might be effective in reducing the medication for treating delirium after surgery for gastrointestinal malignancy. Clinical trial information: 000005423.