Capuzzo Maurizia, Zanardi Barbara, Schiffino Elisa, Buccoliero Cosimetta, Gragnaniello Daniela, Bianchi Stefano, Alvisi Raffaele
Department of Surgical, Anesthetic and Radiological Sciences, Section of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
Anesth Analg. 2006 Jul;103(1):121-3, table of contents. doi: 10.1213/01.ane.0000222476.62547.ed.
Melatonin has been reported to reduce preoperative anxiety. We performed this study to compare preoperative anxiety in elderly patients receiving melatonin (M) or placebo (P). Anxiety was measured in patients aged >65 yr by a numerical rating scale (range, 0-10). Each patient was randomized to receive M 10 mg or P orally: 71 patients were in group P and 67 in group M. The median (quartiles) anxiety level was 5 (2-8) before and 3 (1-7) 90 min after premedication in group M and 5 (3-6) and 3 (1-5) in group P, respectively. M and P reduce anxiety in elderly patients to a similar degree.
