A Randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled Trial of Ramelteon in the Prevention of Post-operative Delirium in Older Patients Undergoing Orthopedic Surgery
Phase: PHASE2
Conditions: Delirium, Delirium, Dementia, Amnestic, Cognitive Disorders, Delayed Emergence From Anesthesia, Cognitive Disorders
Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University

 
 
A Randomized Double Blind Placebo 
Controlled Trial of Ramelteon in the 
Prevention of Postoperative Delirium in 
Older Patients Undergoing Orthopedic 
Surgery: The RECOVER Study 
R21 AG050850-01A1 
 
NCT02324153 
 
Study Protocol and Statistical Plan  
 
Date of Last IRB Approval: 7/12/19 
Johns Hopkins University School of 
Medicine 
Karin J. Neufeld MD MPH 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Date: 12/18/17 
Principal Investigator: Karin J Neufeld 
Application Number: IRB00097232  
 
 
 
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RECOVER STUDY Protocol 
 
1. 
Abstract 
a. Provide no more than a one page research abstract briefly stating the problem, the research 
hypothesis, and the importance of the research. 
 
Postoperative delirium, an acute confusional state caused by an underlying physiological 
disturbance following surgery and characterized by sleep/wake cycle disturbances, 1is a serious 
public health problem that disproportionately affects older people. 2,3Delirium is associated with 
many negative outcomes including: increased mortality, longer hospital stays, increased 
institutionalization after acute care hospitalization, worse cognitive and physical outcomes (both 
short- and long-term), and significant distress for patients and their families. 4-9Costs to the 
healthcare system due to all episodes of delirium among the elderly range from $38 to $152 
billion/year. 10,11Aging of the population means increasing numbers of older adults are undergoing 
surgery – making postoperative delirium prevention an urgent priority. 12  
The mechanisms leading to postoperative delirium are unclear, though delirium is almost always 
accompanied by symptoms of sleep-wake disturbance, such as daytime somnolence and nighttime 
sleeplessness. 13-16 Diurnal dysregulation may be causally important in the genesis of delirium, and 
melatonin agonists may prevent delirium by maintaining the circadian rhythm. 17 The rationale for 
using a melatonin agonist is further strengthened by multiple biological effects on neuro-
inflammatory mechanisms implicated in delirium, 18-20via antioxidant and possibly anti-amyloid 
effects. 21-23 Reports from a recent single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) of ramelteon in a 
related but non-generalizable older-aged medically ill patient population suggest a significant 
reduction in new onset delirium (30% of placebo-treated vs. 3% of ramelteon-treated; effect size of 
0.85). 24  
We propose a proof-of-concept (phase 2) double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial to 
evaluate the efficacy and short-term safety of ramelteon for the prevention of postoperative delirium 
in a high-risk group of patients, 65 years and older, with MMSE25 scores > 15, planned orthopedic 
surgery. Our prior work demonstrates the feasibility of conducting a prevention trial in this 
population, using state-of-the-art delirium detection and diagnosis methodology. 5,25 Should this 
preliminary trial, show evidence of efficacy and adequate safety, then a phase 3 trial will be 
proposed.  
Our group has demonstrated that an early predictor of subsequent delirium is the presence of 
delirium immediately upon recovery from general anesthesia in the post anesthesia care unit 
(PACU). 5,26,27The proposed trial will incorporate assessment of PACU delirium as a means of early 
delirium detection in helping to determine the efficacy of the ramelteon intervention.  
 
2. 
Objectives (include all primary and secondary objectives) The proposed trial will involve 
administering 8 mg ramelteon orally (1 dose preoperatively and 2 doses postoperatively) or 
placebo in 80 older-aged patients to test the following: 
 
Specific Aim 1 (primary outcome): To compare delirium incidence and severity between 
ramelteon and placebo using the DSM 5 criteria by expert panel consensus.  
Hypothesis 1: Compared to placebo, ramelteon will be associated with a) a lower incidence and 
severity of postoperative delirium immediately upon recovery from anesthesia in the PACU, and b) 
with a lower incidence and severity of delirium on postoperative day (POD) 1 and POD 2.  

Date: 12/18/17 
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Specific Aim 2 (safety outcome): To compare adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events 
(SAEs) between ramelteon and placebo.  
Hypothesis 2: Ramelteon will have an adequate safety profile in this postoperative cohort, 
sufficient to support conducting a larger prevention trial. Specifically, compared to placebo, 
ramelteon will not be associated with increased incidence of postoperative delirium or with 
increased adverse side effects including fatigue, headache and next day somnolence during the 
treatment episode.  
 
3. 
Background (briefly describe pre-clinical and clinical data, current experience with procedures, 
drug or device, and any other relevant information to justify the research) 
 
a. Significance: 
 a.1. Overview: Postoperative delirium in older adults is frequent, associated with poor outcomes, 
and a serious public health problem. Delirium, or an acute confusional state caused by an 
underlying physiological disturbance, 1 occurs in up to 60% of older patients undergoing major 
surgery.12,  27-30 It is associated with increased mortality, morbidity, cognitive impairment, 
functional decline, institutionalization following acute care hospitalization, and psychological 
distress for patients and their families.5-9  Healthcare costs due to all episodes of delirium in the 
elderly range from $38 to $152 billion/year.10,11  Older age and impaired cognition prior to surgery 
are risk factors for postoperative delirium. 31,32 For many older patients, a postoperative delirium 
can tip the balance and result in significant reductions in independence and function. 33  
 
a.2. Delirium: A syndrome characterized by a circadian rhythm disturbance. Disrupted sleep-
wake cycle occurs in 73-80% of patients with delirium and includes day/night reversal and 
fragmentation.14,16 Motor activity during a delirious episode is also frequently inappropriate in its 
timing – with daytime somnolence and nighttime hyperactivity, suggesting circadian dysfunction 
as a possible central mechanism in delirium.13,15  The relationship may be bidirectional: sleep 
deprivation may lead to significant cognitive deficits and may itself cause or worsen delirium. 
13,34,35 Sleep/wake cycle disruption is central to postoperative delirium.  
 
a.3. Melatonin: A critical modulator of circadian rhythm that decreases with age. Melatonin 
is secreted by the pineal gland in response to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the 
hypothalamus, which contains a free running circadian pacemaker and is also entrained by neural 
input from the retina where photoreceptors are stimulated by darkness and inhibited by light. 
Noradrenergic photoreceptors synapse in the SCN, stimulating fibers that travel to the superior 
cervical ganglion and return to the pineal gland where production of melatonin occurs, from its 
precursor, serotonin. Melatonin levels peak in the evening and night hours with a 24-hour 
periodicity.  36-38 In healthy young adults the daytime/nighttime peak values are 10/60 pg/mL, 
respectively. Melatonin production peaks in young children and falls over the course of the 
lifespan. 37  Serum melatonin levels are significantly lower, with delayed peak values in older 
subjects with insomnia compared to age-matched controls. Older individuals have decreased 
nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis, thought to be secondary to neurodegeneration. 39 
 
a.4. Melatonin: Additional neuroprotective effects via antioxidant activity at high doses. 
When administered at 10-100 times the physiologic dose (3-30 mg orally), melatonin exerts cell 
protection through antioxidant activities, modulates the immune system, and supports 
mitochondrial function. 21  It acts via cellular membrane G protein-coupled melatonin receptors 
MT1 and MT2 throughout the human brain, including microglia in the cortex and brainstem, and in 

Date: 12/18/17 
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the periphery in cell types such as lymphocytes, bone marrow, gut and retina. Receptor stimulation 
enhances antioxidant potential of the cell by increasing enzyme and mitochondrial ATP synthesis. 
40  Animal models have demonstrated the protective effects of melatonin after ischemic and 
reperfusion injury of liver, heart and brain. 41-46 Evidence suggests that melatonin might be a 
rational treatment for cerebral edema due to blood brain barrier protection. 47-49 Melatonin also 
protects against Aβ-mediated toxicity and attenuates Alzheimer-like tau hyperphosphorylation. 22,23  
 
a.5. Pathophysiology of Delirium: Neuroinflammation and neurotransmitter dysregulation are 
implicated as possible mechanisms causing delirium, particularly in response to stress and 
inflammation of surgical procedures and the direct effects of anesthetic agents. 13,50-52 Impaired 
cerebral oxidative metabolism resulting in increased dopaminergic, noradrenergic and 
glutamatergic activity and decreases in cholinergic activity is hypothesized to cause delirium. 
18,19,35,52,53 Melatonin blocks dopamine release from the hypothalamus in animal models.  
Melatonin agonists may have beneficial effects in delirium prevention through: 1) maintenance of 
sleep and diurnal rhythms, 2) anti-inflammatory effects, and/or 3) dopamine blockade.  
 
a.6. Low Postoperative Serum Melatonin: Associated with delirium. Melatonin levels have 
been reported to be low on the first night following surgery, returning to normal in subsequent days 
when measured in young women following gynecologic procedures. 54 Inpatients developing 
delirium after undergoing major abdominal surgery without life-threatening postoperative 
complications had lower serum melatonin levels compared to preoperative baseline; no such 
change was evident in patients who did not develop delirium. 55 Although absolute preoperative 
levels of melatonin were similar in an observational study of older patients undergoing major 
surgery, patients who developed postoperative delirium demonstrated significantly lower serum 
melatonin concentration at 1 hour after surgery compared to those who remained delirium free. 56 
Postoperative delirium, without life-threatening complications, is associated with lower melatonin 
levels immediately following surgical procedures. 
 
a.7. Exogenous Melatonin and Delirium Prevention: findings are mixed. Two trials in 
postoperative patients used superphysiologic doses: the first using 7.5 mg melatonin orally the 
night prior to, and a second dose 90 minutes before surgery.  Active treatment was compared to 
patients receiving two other agents or no drug at all. A placebo was not used. The new occurrence 
of delirium on days 0-3 in the groups with no drug treatment vs. melatonin was 33% vs. 9%, 
respectively. 57 The second was a recently published placebo-controlled RCT, testing oral doses of 
3 mg of melatonin, administered for 5 consecutive nights in 378 older patients (mean age 84 years) 
undergoing hip fracture repair. This trial demonstrated neither delirium preventive effect (55/186 
or 30% among melatonin group vs. 49/192 or 26% in the placebo) nor any functional differences at 
3 months. 58 Secondary analysis revealed that patients treated with melatonin, had fewer episodes 
of delirium lasting longer than 2 days, compared to placebo. 58 Another placebo-controlled RCT 
was conducted in a medically ill patient population aged 65 and older using a physiologic dose of 
0.5 mg of melatonin at bedtime for up to 14 days during a medical hospitalization. 59 The delirium 
prevalence in placebo vs. melatonin (31% vs.12% respectively; p<0.02) resulted in an absolute risk 
reduction of 15.6% (NNT = 6.4).  
 
a.8. Advantages of Ramelteon – include quality control and longer drug effect. Unlike 
melatonin, which is considered a dietary supplement, ramelteon is an FDA-regulated 
pharmaceutical. Inadequate comparability of biologic availability of melatonin, between different 
manufacturers and even between batches from the same company, has been cited as a major barrier 
to studying the effects of exogenous melatonin in clinical trials. 36 As a regulated drug, ramelteon, 

Date: 12/18/17 
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has distinct advantages with respect to quality control and comparable melatonergic activity. 
Furthermore a biologically active metabolite M-II contributes to a longer total drug effect of 5 
hours compared to 1- 2 hours for melatonin. 39,60  
 
a.9.Ramelteon and Delirium Prevention: Promising in medically ill patients. A trial employing 
ramelteon in a delirium prevention study of 67 medically ill patients, > 65 years of age 
demonstrated a significant reduction in delirium in ramelteon-treated vs. placebo (3% vs. 32% 
respectively; p = 0.003) reflecting a relative risk (RR) of 0.09 (95% CI 0.01-0.69).24 Of 1,126 
patients screened, 101 met inclusion criteria. Exclusions included a length of hospital stay or life 
expectancy < 48 hours, diagnosis of 1) liver failure, 2) Dementia with Lewy Bodies, 3) alcohol 
dependency, 4) psychotic disorder, 5) bipolar disorder, or 6) prior use of fluvoxamine. Outcome 
measures were DSM –IV  61   based delirium diagnosis and DRS-98R  62 as assessed by study 
psychiatrists. The intervention and control groups were balanced regarding important confounders: 
patients were comparable in baseline demographics, levels of baseline dementia and severity of 
illness. No one stopped the ramelteon due to adverse outcomes.  The most significant risk of bias 
was due to a non-identical appearing placebo, potentially leading to unmasking of treatment 
assignment.  
 
a.10. Summary of Significance: Sleep disruption is a central feature of delirium, and preliminary 
data suggests that melatonin deficiency is associated with postoperative delirium in older adults. 
The use of ramelteon as a melatonin agonist perioperatively could prevent delirium by a number of 
mechanisms including enhancing circadian rhythm and promoting sleep, direct antioxidant and 
anti-inflammatory activity and central dopamine blockade. While results of melatonin RCTs have 
been quite mixed, ramelteon offers pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic advantages over 
melatonin that may enhance potential benefits.  Successful prevention of postoperative delirium 
will result in improvements in the lives of older patients undergoing surgery and significant cost-
savings to the healthcare system. 
 
b. Innovation:  
b.1. Melatonergic agents - a safer alternative for delirium prevention: Previous delirium 
prevention trials have tested pharmacologic agents that directly increase cholinergic, or decrease 
dopaminergic activity. Rivastigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, was discontinued mid-study due to 
concern for increased mortality in the treatment group. 63 Dopamine-blocking antipsychotic agents 
(i.e. haloperidol) have not demonstrated any treatment or prevention benefit for delirium in 
critically ill adults. 64,65 Results of dopamine blocking agents in prevention trials in older-aged 
postoperative samples are mixed: antipsychotics may hold some promise 66 but are complicated by 
the increased risk of stroke and sudden death, particularly with long-term use in patients with 
dementia, making this a high-risk strategy for the highest risk patients. 67-69 Safer delirium 
pharmacologic prevention strategies are needed. Ramelteon, as a melatonin agonist, may have a 
more benign side-effect profile in older people and is approved currently as a sleep aide. 39,70,71  
 
b.2. A Different High-Risk Population reflecting “real-world” surgical patients: Ramelteon 
has not yet been used as a delirium-prevention agent in a postoperative population which includes 
persons with significant cognitive impairment. Our group has expertise early delirium evaluation 
following recovery from anesthesia on the day of surgery in addition to assessments on 
postoperative days. This first study of ramelteon in an older postoperative patient population 
inclusive of those with preoperative cognitive impairment will use the innovative approach of early 
delirium detection to study the evolution of the syndrome in the immediate recovery period and on 
subsequent postoperative days.  

Date: 12/18/17 
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b.3. A Rigorously Conducted RCT Ensuring Adherence: A trial that includes complete 
masking of study drug/placebo and ensures adherence to first dose through testing for a tracer 
substance will represent a unique contribution to scientific knowledge. Rigor is needed to 
demonstrate that delirium prevention effects are due to ramelteon, particularly before designing 
more expensive phase 3 trials. A rigorously conducted RCT will identify the potential for 
ramelteon to prevent delirium in a postoperative population.     
 
b.4. Summary of Innovation: This exploratory study is a novel approach to preventing 
postoperative delirium in older patients with and without cognitive impairment – a condition for 
which there is no prevention and little translational inquiry. Older individuals undergoing surgery, 
do so in the hopes of improving quality of life. Delirium prevention following surgery will 
significantly improve independence, well-being and decrease institutionalization. A widely 
available, generally safe intervention (ramelteon) would be exciting, novel, guiding translational 
inquiry to test important new mechanistic models of postoperative delirium.   
 
4. 
Study Procedures 
a. Study design, including the sequence and timing of study procedures   
(distinguish research procedures from those that are part of routine care). 
 
Overview: This randomized, masked, controlled trial is designed to evaluate the short-term safety 
and efficacy of peri-operative, orally administered 8 mg of ramelteon for the prevention of 
postoperative delirium; 80 delirium-free participants (n=40 per arm) > 65 years of age, infection 
free and undergoing orthopedic surgery and post-procedure inpatient admission, will be randomized 
to ramelteon/placebo at the preoperative study visit, with administration of 3 nightly doses: one 
preoperatively and two following surgery while monitoring incidence of postoperative delirium. 
The following diagram outlines the proposed study timeline.  All activities outlined in yellow 
indicate research activities while white background indicates routine clinical care.  
 
Timeline of Clinical Course and Study Assessment (not to scale) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*See Table for  
Assessment  
description. 
 
 
Choice of dosing times: include three consecutive evenings: 1) prior to surgery, 2) the night of 
surgery or POD 0 and 3) POD 1. The preoperative administration of ramelteon is designed to 
correct melatonergic deficiencies observed immediately following surgery and to enhance circadian 
rhythm and sleep effects. 54 Participants who are admitted to hospital the night before surgery will 
have study assigned medication administered by clinical staff, similar to the procedure for POD 0 
and POD 1 doses. Participants undergoing elective surgery are given the first dose of medication at 
their preoperative study visit with instructions to take it the night before surgery. Study personnel 
will contact to remind the participant. Lack of adherence to self-administration of medication has 
been described as a barrier in the literature. 72 Serving as a biologic tracer, 100 mg of riboflavin 
(Vitamin B2) will be added to both the active agent and placebo of doses to be self-administered 
Ramelteon 8 mg/Placebo 
by Mouth the night prior to 
Surgery 
PACU Delirium 
Upon Recovery from Anesthesia 
PACU 
Aldrete Score >8 
Ramelteon 8 mg/Placebo 
by Mouth 
on Evening of Surgery 
Ramelteon 8 mg/Placebo 
by Mouth on Evening 
Postoperative Day 1 
IQCODE, CDR, Functional Assessments 
Baseline Data:  Demographics, Comorbidities, Blood Draw 
Clinical Course 
Study Assessments* 
Delirium POD #1 
Delirium POD #2  
Delirium 
Patient Interview & Medical Record Review for Adverse Events (using “Health Questionnaire”) 
Medication Administration Documentation (adherence to study protocol) Blood Draw POD #1 & 2 
Randomization 
Preoperative Evaluation of 
Consenting Patients 
Urine sample collection testing 
for riboflavin tracer prior to 
surgery 

Date: 12/18/17 
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outside of the hospital. Since riboflavin fluoresces under UV light, a urine sample obtained in the 
OR at the time of catheterization, will be sent for quantitative fluoroscopy using a cutoff of > 900 
ng/ml as evidence of adherence. Replacement recruitment will be completed for any participants 
with urine samples negative for riboflavin.   
 
 
Choice of study population and outcome measurement time points: Delirium, diagnosed early in 
recovery from anesthesia, is very common in older adults (45% after recovery from general 
anesthesia) and predicts delirium in the subsequent postoperative course. 5,26,27,73This finding runs 
contrary to the view that postoperative delirium cannot be diagnosed unless a period of lucidity has 
occurred following recovery from anesthesia, and that commonly observed confusion and 
uncooperativeness upon recovery are benign emergence phenomena. 74 Since our previous work 
suggests that the syndrome, regardless of its attribution, predicts delirium in the days 
following surgery as well as measurable changes in cognitive function, 5 we have included two 
time periods of delirium incidence as our primary outcome: 1) in the PACU after recovery of 
arousal, hemodynamic, and respiratory function after anesthesia, as measured by Aldrete score > 
8;74 and 2) during POD 1 and 2 independent of status in the PACU. This will allow for the study of 
preoperative ramelteon on immediate recovery and during the traditionally described delirium 
incidence in the days following surgery. For participants who discharge early from the hospital 
(prior to POD 2), delirium assessment will be conducted via telephone.  While longer-term follow-
up beyond POD 2 is desirable, it is difficult to complete in all patients in this preliminary study due 
to an institutional trend toward early post-surgery discharge. We plan to recruit patients with 
significant cognitive impairment at baseline (mild to moderate dementia) by including participants 
with Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) scores > 15. 75Based upon our previous work, distribution of 
MMSE scores of 24-30, 15-23, and < 15 prior to surgery for this population will be 50-60%, 25-
33% and 7-25% respectively. Participants who score below this cut-off are increasingly difficult to 
test, making delirium diagnosis difficult. 
 
Randomization: A statistician (JML) will be responsible for design, implementation, and 
maintenance of randomization procedures that assign participants to active pharmaceutical or 
placebo. Since preoperative cognitive impairment is consistently and strongly associated with the 
development of postoperative delirium, our randomization process will stratify by preoperative 
MMSE exam score to ensure balanced allocation (MMSE score 24/30 - 30/30 and 15/30 - 23/30). 
Under supervision of the statistician, research pharmacy staff who have no contact with the patient 
or clinical staff will randomize participants using a computer program, utilizing dynamic allocation 
probabilities to balance the two groups on the dichotomous MMSE variable.   
 
Masking Procedures: The research pharmacy staff will prepare the active treatment (ramelteon 8 
mg) and placebo using identical gel caps containing 100 mg riboflavin for doses to be self-
administered outside of the hospital. No riboflavin will be added to study doses to be administered 
by hospital nursing staff. Once randomized, the assigned agent will be labeled with the patient’s 
name and medical record number with the administration instructions consistent with hospital 
policy. No markings will indicate identity of the agent. Participants admitted on the day of surgery 
will receive the assigned study medication (active treatment/placebo) at the study visit prior to 
surgery. For all inpatient doses clinical nursing staff will administer medication each evening (8-10 
pm). Administration will be documented in the clinical electronic medication record and adherence 
closely monitored by research staff. 
 

Date: 12/18/17 
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Concomitant Medications: All medications except those enumerated in exclusions will be 
allowed.60 
 
Choice of Clinical Site and Feasibility of Recruitment: A total of 198 infection-free inpatients > 65 
years of age, underwent total hip or knee arthroplasty or revision under general anesthesia between 
01/01/14-12/31/14 at JHBMC. The median (IQR) ASA physical status score and median surgical 
duration (IQR) was 3 (3-3) and 172 (122-216) mins. respectively, reflecting significant comorbidity 
and lengthy surgical times, consistent with high postoperative delirium risk likely to be at least 
30%. 58 
 
b. Study duration and number of study visits required of research participants.  
 
The study will include baseline data gathering prior to surgery and last for three days during 
admission to hospital for orthopedic surgery.  The participants in this study will be invited to come 
to a hospital-based in-person preoperative study visit to obtain consent for the study, collect 
baseline data, including 5 ml (1 teaspoon) of blood draw for biomarkers and a baseline delirium 
assessment. If the patient is unable or unwilling to come to the hospital prior to surgery, study staff 
will offer to come to see the patient in the community such as in their home (if located within the 
vicinity of JHBMC and the patient is willing).  If the patient lives out of state, or too far to allow 
study team travel, but still expresses interest in the study, the consent will be sent via email (from 
the secure JHMI server) or via fax after discussing the study with one of the provider staff by 
telephone. Baseline information that can be completed by phone will be obtained and remaining 
variables and blood draw will be completed in the morning of the day of surgery. Following 
randomization, study medication will be sent by courier or mail. 
 
The patient will be asked to take the study medication (either ramelteon or placebo - both containing 
riboflavin) the night before surgery.  For many patients this will occur at home prior to admission and 
research personnel will place telephone calls to ensure adherence by the patient. While in the hospital the 
patient will have a urine sample collected and sent on the day of surgery to test for riboflavin, will be 
visited by study staff to do a delirium assessment in the PACU upon recovery from anesthesia, and on two 
subsequent postoperative days. Two doses of the study drug will be prepared by the research pharmacy and 
administered by the patient’s nurse. Blood will be drawn for biomarkers on POD1 and POD2. For the 
biomarker collection on POD1 and POD2, 5 ml (1 teaspoon) of blood will be collected during routine AM 
blood draw, and therefore will not involve an additional needle stick. If the participant is discharged from 
the hospital early (prior to POD2), the biomarker collection for that day will not be completed. For 
participants who are discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 0 or day 1, the remaining doses of 
study medication will be packaged by the pharmacy and given to the participant to take at place of 
discharge with instructions to take the medication at hour of sleep.  Study staff will call the participant and 
complete the study questionnaires each day by telephone should the patient be discharged prior to 
postoperative day 2.  
c. Blinding, including justification for blinding or not blinding the trial, if applicable. 
 
Blinding of study staff, clinical staff and the patient is critical for the design and the study aims – 
which seek to test whether ramelteon might prevent the development of postoperative delirium.  
 
d. Justification of why participants will not receive routine care or will have current therapy 
stopped. 
 

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Participants will receive routine surgical and postoperative care.  The study seeks to add exposure to 
ramelteon or placebo to test whether this intervention might decrease delirium - a common 
complication that occurs in the postoperative setting in older adults. No current therapy will be 
stopped.  
 
e. Justification for inclusion of a placebo or non-treatment group. 
 
The inclusion of a placebo treatment is critical in helping advance our understanding of the effects 
(both positive and negative) of ramelteon exposure.  Placebo comparison is the only way that we 
can understand what is likely due to ramelteon and what is not.  
 
f. Definition of treatment failure or participant removal criteria. 
 
All consented participants will be retained in the study.  Participants with no evidence of riboflavin 
in the urine sample as tested by fluorescence prior to surgery (i.e. evidence of non-adherence to the 
first dose of study agent) will continue in the study, receiving second and third doses of study agent, 
and undergoing delirium outcome measures at all time points; however recruitment will continue 
until 80 participants with documented adherence to the first doses of study agent is attained.  
Primary analysis will be intent to treat with all randomized subjects included in the analysis; 
secondary analysis will include only patients with documented adherence all 3 doses of study 
medication (a per protocol analysis). 
 
Participants who have their surgery canceled after they have been randomized and who are likely to 
have surgery in the future will be considered “suspended” from the study.  These participants will 
continue in their assigned condition.  A new baseline will be completed prior to their new surgery 
date to establish that they continue to meet inclusion criteria.  The team will proceed with the 
protocol pre- and postoperatively as assigned during the original randomization. If the participant 
takes any of the study medication prior to the original surgery, a minimum of 7 days between initial 
study dosing and the re-initiation of the protocol is required to ensure sufficient time to wash out. If 
the rescheduled surgery occurs less than 7 days after original dosing, the participant will be 
excluded from the study.  
 
g. Description of what happens to participants receiving therapy when study ends or if a 
participant’s participation in the study ends prematurely. 
 
Patients will be thanked for their help with the study and will be advised to call the PI with any 
questions.  
 

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5. 
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria 
 
Participants and Recruitment: Eligible patients at JHBMC, identified from the surgical scheduling 
roster (after obtaining HIPAA waiver) and/or from referral by the patient’s surgeon will be 
approached. Upon receiving informed consent from the patient or their legally authorized 
representative (LAR), a MMSE 75 and delirium assessment (see below) will determine eligibility. A 
similar recruitment procedure is employed in the ongoing STRIDE study at the JHBMC. Both 
elective and emergency surgeries will be eligible.  Recruitment of ethnic and racial minority 
participants will be a priority.   
 
Inclusion Criteria: 1) Planned orthopedic surgery and inpatient stay following surgery; 2) Age > 65 
years; 3) MMSE > 15 before surgery; 4) Can understand, speak, read and write English. 
 
Exclusion Criteria: 1) Delirium diagnosis by Confusion Assessment Method 76(CAM) at baseline; 
2) Unable to give informed consent (as tested for with the consent questionnaire during telephone 
screening and during baseline visit) due to cognitive impairment and a suitable LAR cannot be 
identified; 3) Declines participation; 4) Current medications that include: a) ramelteon, b) 
melatonin, c) fluvoxamine, d) rifampin, e) ketoconazole, or f) fluconazole; 5) History of ramelteon 
or riboflavin intolerance; 6) Heavy daily alcohol intake by medical record or history 7) Current 
moderate to severe liver failure (as defined by Charlson criteria82); 8) Evidence of Systemic 
Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) as measured by > 2 criteria; 77 or 9) Presence of a 
condition that in the opinion of the PI might compromise patient safety if enrolled in the study. 
 
6. 
Drugs/ Substances/ Devices 
a. The rationale for choosing the drug and dose or for choosing the device to be used. 
 
Choice of agent and dose: Ramelteon is fast in onset. In a study of its safety and efficacy in older 
adults with chronic primary insomnia, using a two night crossover double-blind randomized 
controlled design, 8 mg of ramelteon demonstrated statistically significant decreases in sleep 
latency, increased sleep efficiency, and total sleep time compared to placebo as measured by 
polysomnography. 78A ‘first night’ model of transient insomnia in 289 patients, naïve to a sleep 
laboratory environment and without any prior sleep difficulties, demonstrated similar findings with 
exposure to one dose. 71 Increased side effects, including fatigue, headache, and next-day 
somnolence, were experienced with 16 mg vs 8 mg, with no additional sleep architecture benefit. 60 
Ramelteon (8 mg dose) is rapidly absorbed with peak serum concentrations at 1 hour and results in 
20 -30 times the equivalent of nocturnal plasma melatonin levels. Such superphysiologic dosing 
may confer additional melatonergic neuroprotective benefits. Easily absorbed and highly protein 
bound, ramelteon is subject to extensive first pass metabolism, and rapidly eliminated (t1/2 =1-2.6 
hours). However the M II metabolite is highly biologically active, binding to both melatonin and 
serotonin-2B receptors. Elderly individuals metabolize ramelteon less rapidly than younger 
subjects, resulting in a doubling of exposure, given the same dose. 60,79 Use of 8 mg of ramelteon in 
this protocol should confer both sleep promoting and circadian rhythm maintenance, and is a 
sufficient dose to provide superphysiologic melatonin receptor stimulation potentially 
consistent with antioxidant effects at a dose with relatively few side effects.  
 
b. Justification and safety information if FDA approved drugs will be administered for non-FDA 
approved indications or if doses or routes of administration or participant populations are 
changed. 
 

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An FDA waiver of need for IND was received on January 5th 2015 (see attached letter rejecting 
application for IND).  One of the reasons given by the FDA was that the “investigation does not 
involve a change in route of administration, dosage or population, or other factor that significantly 
increases the risks (or decreases the acceptability of risks) associated with the use of the drug 
product.” 
 
c. Justification and safety information if non-FDA approved drugs without an IND will be 
administered.  – Not applicable. 
 
7. 
Study Statistics 
a. Primary outcome variables. 
Outcome Measure Specific Aim I – State-of-the-Art Delirium Assessment and Diagnosis: Well-
trained research staff will conduct delirium assessments at baseline, to exclude cases of 
prevalent delirium, and at three later time points (see Figure and Table). This assessment 
includes: (1) face to face standardized interview of the patient regarding experiences, (2) 
standardized cognitive testing including the MMSE 75 and the abbreviated Digit Span, 80(3) 
history from family/friends familiar with the patient’s cognitive baseline, (4) interview of 
nursing and other medical staff caring for the patient, and (5) review of medical records for 
evidence of behavioral disturbances and symptoms in previous 24 hours. Information on sleep 
disturbance is sought from all sources and is a symptom of delirium. Assessors will rate the 
CAM 81 and the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised ’98 (DRS-R98) 62 for the prior 24 hours and 
describe the patient’s behavior and mental state in a written narrative. If a patient is intubated 
the CAM-ICU 82 will be administered to determine delirium status. Patients who are comatose 
will be documented as such. (Preliminary data suggests that this is a rare occurrence <1%) Final 
adjudication of delirium diagnosis is derived after all data is presented to a panel of expert 
delirium diagnosticians (KN, PR and EO).  
 
The primary diagnosis of delirium is based upon meeting all DSM-5 criteria (see 
appendix), and is determined by consensus of the expert panel - a method currently 
employed by this group of co-investigators in the STRIDE study.  
 
A second outcome measure will be analyzed using the continuous variable of delirium 
severity derived from the DRS-98R severity measure.  
 
Outcome Measure Specific Aim II- Adverse Events: All adverse events (AE and SAE) will be collected 
from the medical record and daily patient assessment using a customized instrument (“Health 
Questionnaire”) which will systematically probe for known side effects (fatigue, headache and next day 
somnolence) (see Protection of Human Subjects).Assessment of Outcome and Covariates:  
Table: Timing and Content of Patient Assessments 
Assessments  
Administration 
Collection Instrument and Source 
Cognition  
Preoperative, PACU 
POD 1 and 2 
Mini Mental State Exam 
Abbreviated Digit Span: Forwards and Backwards  
Delirium 
Preoperative, PACU, 
POD 1 and 2 
CAM (full)83 after patient exam + proxy/medical record review or CAM-
ICU if intubated; DRS-98R (severity measure) 
Dementia Rating 
Preoperative 
IQCODE from Proxy Interview; CDR based on Testing and Patient 
Interview 
Age/sex/ race/occupational and 
education 
Preoperative 
Data Collection from based on Chart Review and Patient/Proxy Interview 
Activities of Daily Living (ADL); 
Instrumental ADL  
Preoperative 
Katz and Lawton Scales from Patient and Proxy Interviews; Frailty 
Measure: Modified Fried Criteria 
Comorbidities and review of sleep 
Preoperative/POD 1 and 
Charlson Index from Chart review, ASA score;  

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patterns;  
POD 2 
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (baseline); Richards Campbell Sleep 
Questionnaire (POD 1 and 2) 
Blood sample (5 ml) 
Preoperatively, POD 1 
and 2 
Testing for the following inflammatory biomarkers: CRP (all testing will 
be performed by a research laboratory)  
Medication administration (study 
agents), OR record/hospital 
course/discharge 
Preoperative, PACU, 
POD 1 and 2 
Data Collection based on Chart Review  
Adverse events  
PACU, POD 1 and 2 
SAE + AE Custom-made Data Collection Forms (“Health Questionnaire”) 
from Patient Interview and Records 
 
b. Secondary outcome variables. 
 
Baseline Covariate Measures:  
Dementia Assessments: To measure the preoperative cognitive function, 1) patient interview and 
testing and 2) Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) 83 
completed at baseline after interview of a proxy informant, will inform rating of the 6 domains 
of the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) 84 by the delirium assessor. Evidence for the CDR 
ratings will be adjudicated by the consensus panel. 
Other Baseline Covariates: Demographics, Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s), 85,86 
Instrumental ADL’s (IADL’s), 87 validated measures of medical comorbidity and severity 
(Charlson Comorbidity Index, 88 and ASA physical status classification system 89), and a 
validated measure of sleep, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) 90 will be documented 
preoperatively. The PSQI measures characteristics of nighttime sleep in the prior month: 
producing a score of 0 – 21 (lower = better sleep) with a cut-off of > 5 indicating poor sleep 
quality. Richards Campbell Sleep Questionnaire will be collected from the patient on POD 1 
and POD 2 to document in-hospital quality of sleep. We will also collect the modified Fried 
Frailty Criteria at baseline.   
 
c. Statistical plan including sample size justification and interim data analysis. 
 
Choice of Sample Size; Power Considerations– Why 80 adherent participants? The power to 
detect a difference in the development of postoperative delirium of an the previously reported 
effect-size 24(30% placebo-treated vs. 3% ramelteon-treated) is greater than 0.90, using the 
current design of 40 participants in each treatment arm and assuming 30% of the placebo-treated 
group will develop delirium on POD 1 or 2. This design can detect an 80% reduction in delirium 
(30% placebo-treated vs. 6% ramelteon-treated) with a power of 0.84.  A conservative estimate 
for power for the continuous outcome (DSRS-98R) measuring delirium severity can be derived 
by conceptualizing the proposed longitudinal analysis as an independent samples t-test.  With 
alpha of 0.05 and a sample size of 80, and with means in the ramelteon and placebo groups of 
5.75 and 11.34, respectively (as reported in Hatta, et al), and SDs of 4.16 and 10.96, we would 
have 84% power to detect that difference.   Power for the planned analysis, which includes 3 
post-surgery measurements per participant, and controls for baseline measurement and 
additional covariates would likely be greater. 
 
Data Analysis-Specific Aim 1:  
Analysis 1:Odds of postoperative delirium upon immediate recovery will be modeled via 
logistic regression with treatment assignment as the covariate of interest, and controlling for 
baseline MMSE, surgical duration and sleep disorders in all randomized participants in a strict 
intent to treat model and also in a second analysis among the 80 first-dose adherent 
participants.91 Odds of delirium on POD’s 1 and 2 will be modeled via a Markov logistic 
regression model 92 as a function of treatment assignment, baseline MMSE, and mental status on 

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the previous day, where two transitions are possible: from normal mental status to delirium 
and/or coma (abnormal mental states) and the reverse.  Correlation of mental status on 
consecutive days for the same individual will be modeled using generalized estimating 
equations (GEE). 92 We will fit models with interactions between treatment group and variables 
hypothesized to predict treatment response, including baseline MMSE and sleep to determine if 
treatment response varies as a function of baseline predictors. 
 
Analysis 2: The continuous DRS-98R severity measure of delirium will be modeled via 
longitudinal linear regression with correlated observations within participants addressed via the 
method of GEE with treatment assignment as the covariate of interest and controlling for 
baseline DRS-98R score, MMSE, surgical duration and sleep disorders.  
 
Data Analysis-Specific Aim 2: Risk of a severe adverse event will be modeled as a function of 
treatment assignment using logistic regression, as will counts of total adverse events using 
ordinal logistic regression or Poisson regression as appropriate.  Counts of each specific type of 
AE, as a function of treatment assignment will be scrutinized to determine the power needed to 
study them in future larger-scale trials. 
 
d. Early stopping rules.  This is a pilot study and will continue until 80 adherent participants are 
recruited.  A Data Safety Monitoring Board will review the data at the end of year one or at 
recruitment of 40 adherent participants (whichever comes first) to review the unblinded 
(labelled “A” and “B”) data for safety of the intervention.  Specifically, for the analyses of rates 
of delirium in the two groups, we will use a Haybittle-Peto boundary such that the alpha for the 
interim analysis will be 0.001, and the alpha for the final efficacy analysis will be 0.05.    
 
8. 
Risks 
a. Medical risks, listing all procedures, their major and minor risks and expected frequency. 
 
Risks associated with the Study Treatment: Ramelteon has FDA approval for use in elderly 
patients with insomnia.  However this agent has never been used peri-operatively in older patients 
undergoing general or regional anesthesia and we cannot be certain that it will be safe in this 
setting.  Therefore the study aims to test safety of this agent compared to placebo; we will 
systematically collect daily information on adverse (AE) and serious adverse events (SAE) that 
occur in each arm of the study. The main potential risk is one of increased incidence of delirium due 
to the treatment intervention.  Other risks associated with the use of ramelteon reported in product 
labeling include:  1) angioedema and anaphylactic reactions – this risk is extremely rare; 2) 
worsening of insomnia, or the emergence of new cognitive or behavioral abnormalities that may be 
the result of an unrecognized underlying psychiatric or physical disorder, such as worsening of 
depression (including suicidal ideation and completed suicides), hallucinations, bizarre behavior, 
agitation and mania; 4) amnesia, anxiety and other neuro-psychiatric symptoms may also occur 
unpredictably, including complex behaviors such as "sleep-driving" (i.e., driving while not fully 
awake after ingestion of a hypnotic) and other complex behaviors (e.g., preparing and eating food, 
making phone calls, or having sex) with amnesia for the event; 5) decreased testosterone levels and 
increased prolactin levels have been reported with long-term use; 7) the use is contraindicated in 
severe hepatic failure as evidenced by cirrhosis, ascites, portal hypertension and prolonged bleeding 
times; 8) also contraindicated with the concomitant use of fluvoxamine; and finally 9) caution is to 
be used when prescribing with other CYP enzyme active agents such as rifampin, fluconazole, and 
ketoconazole. Other less serious side effects that have been reported in clinical trials include 
somnolence, fatigue, dizziness, nausea and worsened insomnia.  

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The following is taken from the ramelteon package insert:   
ADVERSE REACTIONS  
The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections: Severe 
anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] Abnormal 
thinking, behavior changes, and complex behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] CNS 
effects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]  
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience  
Adverse Reactions Resulting in Discontinuation of Treatment  
The data described in this section reflect exposure to ROZEREM in 5373 subjects, including 722 
exposed for 6 months or longer, and 448 subjects for one year.  
Six percent of the 5373 individual subjects exposed to ROZEREM in clinical studies discontinued 
treatment owing to an adverse event, compared with 2% of the 2279 subjects receiving placebo. The 
most frequent adverse events leading to discontinuation in subjects receiving ROZEREM were 
somnolence, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, headache, and insomnia; all of which occurred in 1% of the 
patients or less.  
ROZEREM Most Commonly Observed Adverse Events  
Table 1 displays the incidence of adverse events reported by the 2861 patients with chronic 
insomnia who participated in placebo-controlled trials of ROZEREM.  
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates 
observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in clinical trials of other 
drugs, and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The adverse reaction information from 
clinical trials does, however, provide a basis for identifying the adverse events that appear to be 
related to drug use and for approximating rates.  
Table 1. Incidence (% of subjects) of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events  
  
Term 
 Placebo (n= 1456) 
Ramelteon 8 mg (n=1405) 
Somnolence 
2 % 
3% 
Fatigue 
2% 
3% 
Dizziness 
3% 
4% 
Nausea 
2% 
3% 
Insomnia exacerbated 
2% 
3% 
 
b. Steps taken to minimize the risks. 
We will adhere to the exclusion criteria listed above which will help avoid the recruitment of 
patients most at risk of side effects and adverse consequences. Patients will be interviewed each day 
for any side effects and the medical records will be reviewed and the data collected for Aim 2 of the 
study.  A DSMB will review the data as described above and the study will be halted if there is 
evidence of harm significantly associated with the intervention. We will also inform participants of 
the risks – particularly when taking the first dose at home.  Specifically we will advise them to call 
911 or come to an emergency room if, after taking the study drug, they develop any swelling, rash, 
difficulty or noisy breathing. 
 
The clinical team (Attending Surgeon - eg., Co-Investigators: Khanuja, Sterling, Oni and the Chief 
of Anesthesiology - eg., Co-Investigator Sieber) will be notified by the study team should any 
patient be found to be delirious (thereby ineligible) during the screening process for the study.  The 
Attending Surgeon (or his designee) will be responsible for contacting the patient's family and 
arranging subsequent follow-up of the patient - either in an emergency setting, in the clinic, or 
through early admission to hospital. The precise recommendation will be informed by the clinical 
status of the patient.  

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c. Plan for reporting unanticipated problems or study deviations. 
 
All AE’s and SAE’s will be reported to the IRB and the DSMB in keeping with rules of the Johns 
Hopkins Institutional Review Board.  As noted above – data on adverse effects will be collected 
each day of the study.   
 
d. Legal risks such as the risks that would be associated with breach of confidentiality. 
 
As with any study incorporating research as a part of clinical care, there is a small but real risk of 
unintentional release of HPI.  We will make every effort to secure data and study records under lock 
and key and encryption in keeping with institutional standards to prevent this from occurring.   
 
e. Financial risks to the participants. 
 
The financial risks to the participants related specifically to this protocol are minimal.   
 
9. 
Benefits 
a. 
Description of the probable benefits for the participant and for society. 
 
While there may be no clear benefit for those participants who take part, this study is an important 
next step in the discovery of pharmaceutical agents in postoperative delirium prevention.  A 
positive outcome may help relieve suffering of many patients in our healthcare system in the 
future and stimulate further inquiry delineating the role of melatonin in the genesis of 
delirium, potentially benefiting society. 
 
10. 
Payment and Remuneration 
a. 
Detail compensation for participants including possible total compensation, proposed bonus, 
and any proposed reductions or penalties for not completing the protocol. 
 
Participants whose participation requires an extra study visit prior to their surgery will be 
compensated $50. No payment is planned for those who are hospitalized prior to their surgery since 
all study activities will be conducted while they are inpatients. Study medication (including active 
agent – ramelteon or placebo) will be provided and administered free of charge to the patient. 
 
11. 
Costs 
a. 
Detail costs of study procedure(s) or drug (s) or substance(s) to participants and identify 
who will pay for them. 
The study budget will include payment for all of the additional procedures (i.e. urine on day 
of surgery, analysis of blood biomarkers at all time points) and drugs – both active and 
placebo, used in this study.   

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