Double-blind evaluation of naftidrofuryl in treating elderly confused hospitalised patients.

In a double-blind comparison between naftidrofuryl and placebo, naftidrofuryl-treated patients improved significantly on scales completed by the nurse, occupational therapist and physician. No improvement was found for placbo-treated patients. When the response to each treatment was compared, naftidrofuryl was found to be significantly better than placebo on both nurse and physician assessment. There was considerable variation between assessors which suggests that they were measuring different aspects of the patients' condition. There was also considerable variation in patient response, some improved on naftidrofuryl and some deteriorated; some improved on placebo and some deteriorated. However, overall it would seem that patients admitted to hospital with confusional states benefit from treatment with naftidrofuryl.