Study of Antibiotic Use for Delirium in Adults Aged 60 and Older Without Clear Urinary Tract Infection

What this Trial Is About

Delirium is a sudden state of confusion commonly seen in older adults admitted to hospitals, and identifying its cause quickly is important but often difficult. Infection may cause delirium, and many patients have bacteria in their urine, but bacteria alone do not always indicate a true infection. This trial studies whether antibiotics help treat delirium in adults aged 60 and older who have delirium and suspected urinary infection but no clear signs of urinary tract infection. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one group will start or continue taking antibiotics prescribed by their main doctor, with the antibiotic type and treatment length decided by the doctor. The other group will not receive antibiotics. This randomized controlled trial compares these approaches to see if antibiotics improve delirium in this population. During the study, researchers will assess delirium at day 7 or when participants leave the hospital, whichever comes first. They will also monitor other outcomes like hospital stay length, blood infections, ICU transfers, falls, use of restraints or antipsychotics, antibiotic days, and infections such as C. difficile up to 30 days. Deaths and hospital readmissions will be tracked for up to one year. The study aims to provide clearer guidance on antibiotic use for delirium with suspected infection in older adults.

Antibiotics for Delirium in Older Adults With No Clear Urinary Tract Infection