Understanding the Clinical Trial on Intranasal Insulin for Delirium
What is Delirium?
Delirium is a serious condition that can happen to older patients in hospitals. It causes confusion and changes in awareness. About 25% of older patients experience this during their hospital stay.
What Was the Goal of the Study?
The study aimed to see if long-acting intranasal insulin could safely help treat delirium in older patients.
How Was the Study Done?
- Location: Two geriatric wards in a hospital.
- Participants: 100 older patients (over 64 years) diagnosed with delirium.
- Method: Patients were randomly given either intranasal insulin or a placebo (a harmless dummy treatment) twice a day until their delirium improved or they were discharged from the hospital.
What Were the Main Findings?
- The average time patients experienced delirium was shorter for those who received intranasal insulin (4.8 days) compared to those who received the placebo (6.8 days), but this difference was not significant.
- Patients taking intranasal insulin had a shorter hospital stay (average of 7.9 days) compared to those on the placebo (12.9 days).
- Most patients tolerated the treatment well, with 86% taking most of their doses as prescribed.
- Younger patients (under 88 years) showed a significant decrease in delirium duration with insulin, while older patients (over 88 years) did not see the same benefit.
What Does This Mean for Patients and Clinics?
This study is the first to look at using intranasal insulin for treating delirium. While it didn’t show a big difference in reducing delirium duration overall, it did show promise by shortening hospital stays. This could lead to quicker recovery and less time in the hospital, which is beneficial for patients and healthcare systems.
Real-World Opportunities
- Hospitals can consider using intranasal insulin as a treatment option for delirium in older patients.
- Training staff on administering intranasal insulin could improve patient care.
What Should Clinics Track?
- Duration of delirium in patients treated with intranasal insulin.
- Length of hospital stay for patients receiving this treatment.
- Any side effects or complications from the treatment.
AI Tools for Implementation
Clinics can explore AI solutions to monitor patient responses to treatment and track outcomes efficiently. These tools can analyze data and help in decision-making.
Step-by-Step Plan to Start Using Intranasal Insulin
- Begin with a small group of patients diagnosed with delirium.
- Train staff on how to administer intranasal insulin safely.
- Monitor patient outcomes closely for changes in delirium duration and length of hospital stay.
- Gather data and feedback to assess the effectiveness of the treatment.
- Gradually expand the use of intranasal insulin based on initial findings.
For more detailed information, you can read the full research [here](https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afaf276).
