ICU sedation, delirium & recovery
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors for Delirium Prevention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Pooled resultResult — go to the resultRelative risk 0.68 CI 0.47–0.98Authors' conclusion
AChEIs are effective in reducing occurrence of delirium when used prophylactically in patients undergoing elective surgery. AChEIs did not significantly impact on delirium duration, severity, or hospital LOS.
Study context
- Population
- Hospitalized patients (prophylaxis after surgery or treatment of established delirium)
- Participants
- 731 patients · 10 studies
- Comparison
- Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) vs placebo
- AChEIsn = 365
- Placebon = 366reference
- Outcome
- Delirium occurrence
Methodological detailsrandom effects model
- Random effects model
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Relative risk
0.68
CI 0.47–0.98
P = 0.039
AChEIs vs Placebo
RR 0.68 (CI 0.47–0.98); P = 0.039
Further pooled results
| Outcome | SMD (CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delirium duration, prophylaxis (subgroup)Significant reduction | −0.32 (−0.56 to −0.07) | P < 0.01 | |
| −1−0.500.5Difference (linear scale) |
Delirium duration, prophylaxis (subgroup)
- Tendency for better outcomes when AChEIs used as prophylaxis
Safety
- No significant differences in adverse events
Parts of this Brief are withheld: the automatic checks could not confirm them against the abstract.
Original publication
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors for Delirium Prevention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Crit Care Med. Published 5 August 2025. doi:10.
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