Tryptophan Supplementation and Postoperative Delirium—A Randomized Controlled Trial

The overall incidence of postoperative delirium was 39% among participants aged 60 and older undergoing major elective surgery.

• Seventeen percent of the tryptophan group experienced excitatory delirium compared to 9% in the placebo group.
• The duration of excitatory delirium was similar between groups, with 3.3 days for tryptophan and 3.1 days for placebo.
• Overall delirium occurred in 40% of the tryptophan group and 37% of the placebo group.
• The duration of overall delirium was also comparable, with an average of 2.9 days for tryptophan and 2.4 days for placebo.
• Postoperative tryptophan supplementation did not significantly impact the incidence or duration of either excitatory or overall delirium.

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