Comparative Analysis of Delirium in Older Adults Treated With Ceftazidime, Cefepime, or Ceftriaxone

Launched by ALEXANDRIA UNIVERSITY · Jun 10, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether three antibiotics—ceftazidime, cefepime, and ceftriaxone—affect the chances of developing delirium in older adults aged 65 and above who are being treated for infections. Delirium is a sudden change in thinking and awareness that can cause confusion and difficulty focusing. The researchers want to understand if these antibiotics increase the risk of delirium and how changes in medication doses based on kidney and liver health might influence this risk.

If you join the study, you will be a patient aged 65 or older, hospitalized with an infection, and treated with one of these antibiotics at Alexandria University hospitals. People with a history of delirium before hospitalization or certain other health issues, like severe kidney or liver problems, recent major surgery, or current use of medications that can cause delirium, won’t be eligible. During the study, your doctors will check for signs of delirium at several points after starting treatment and monitor your overall health. If delirium occurs, its severity will be measured. This study will help doctors better understand how these antibiotics affect older patients’ brain health during infection treatment.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Older adult patients aged 65 years or above.
• • Hospitalized patients in Alexandria university hospitals diagnosed with infection and treated with selected cephalosporins (Ceftriaxone, Ceftazidime, or Cefepime).
• • Patients without a history of Pre-existing delirium prior to hospitalization.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients with contraindications or allergies to cephalosporins.
• • Patients with septic shock.
• • Current use of medications known to cause delirium (anticholinergics, benzodiazepines, or opioid analgesics).
• • Current or recent substance abuse (patients with a history of alcohol or drug abuse within the past year, or currently undergoing withdrawal). 5. Recent surgical procedures (patients who have undergone major surgery, particularly those requiring general anesthesia, within the last 30 days).
• • Electrolyte imbalance (patients with severe electrolyte disturbances such as hypernatremia, hyponatremia, hypercalcemia or hypocalcemia at the time of study entry).
• • Patients with End-stage renal disease requiring dialysis.
• • Patients with severe liver disease (e.g., Child-C).
• • Pain management issues: Patients with severe, uncontrolled pain that might independently affect cognitive function.