RecruitingInterventional

WHiTE16-DELPHIC: An investigation of people 60 years and over with a broken hip to determine whether they are less likely to have delirium after hip surgery if we treat them with corticosteroids during the operation

This study aims to discover if a common anti-inflammatory drug, dexamethasone, can help prevent confusion and disorientation (known as delirium) in older people (aged 60 and over) who have surgery for a broken hip. Delirium is a upsetting condition that makes it hard to think clearly and can lead to longer hospital stays and other problems. Researchers believe it's caused by inflammation, which dexamethasone can reduce. Around 94 patients across 8 UK hospitals will take part. Half will receive dexamethasone during their operation, and the other half will have standard care. Neither patients nor their doctors will know who gets which treatment. The study will then compare how many people develop delirium and look at their recovery and quality of life over the next year.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Oxford

Enrolment target

Start

18 Feb 2026

Estimated completion

05 Feb 2027

Hip fracture

What is this study about?

When someone over 60 breaks a hip, it's a very serious injury that almost always needs surgery. While recovering, some people can become very confused and disoriented. This condition is called delirium, and it can be quite distressing for both the patient and their family. Delirium often leads to longer stays in hospital and can cause other health problems. In the long run, it might even increase the risk of developing memory problems like dementia.

Researchers believe that the injury itself and the surgery can cause inflammation in the brain, which might trigger this confusion. There's a common and safe drug called dexamethasone that's used to reduce inflammation. This study wants to find out if giving a single dose of dexamethasone during hip surgery can help prevent patients from developing delirium afterwards.

This research is really important because preventing delirium could make a big difference to how well people recover from a broken hip, improving their time in hospital and their quality of life afterwards. The study was designed with input from patients and the public, focusing on a question they felt was a top priority: how to prevent confusion after leg surgery.

Key takeaways

This study investigates if a drug can prevent confusion after hip surgery.
It's for people aged 60 and over with a broken hip needing an operation.
One group gets a drug (dexamethasone), the other gets standard care.
Neither patients nor doctors will know which treatment is given.
The study measures confusion, recovery, and quality of life for 12 months.
Participation is voluntary and will not affect your usual care.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for people aged 60 and over who have broken their hip and are going to have surgery to fix it. If you've had a broken hip before and been part of a similar study like this, you might not be able to join again for this particular study if it was the exact same drug.

There are a few reasons why someone might not be able to take part. For example, if you have a serious infection, a known stomach ulcer, severe heart problems, or are already taking certain steroid medications, this study might not be right for you. The medical team will check all these things carefully to make sure it's safe for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 60 years old or older?
Have you recently broken your hip?
Are you scheduled to have an operation for your hip fracture?
Do you have any serious underlying health conditions like an active infection or severe heart problems that might prevent you from taking part?
Are you currently taking or have you recently taken steroid medicines?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll be one of about 94 people across approximately 8 UK hospitals. By chance, you will either receive a single dose of the study drug, dexamethasone, during your hip operation, or you will receive the usual care without the drug. You and your doctors won't know which treatment you received; this is to make sure the results are fair.

Apart from this, all your other care following your hip fracture will be exactly the same as for any other patient. Before your surgery, you'll be asked some questions about your health and how active you usually are. You'll also complete a simple questionnaire about your quality of life. After surgery, for the first five days, a simple questionnaire will be used to check for any signs of confusion (delirium). We'll also keep an eye on your recovery, how well you move around, your quality of life, and any new health problems, including infections, for up to 12 months after your operation.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might help us understand if dexamethasone can prevent distressing confusion after hip surgery, which could benefit many future patients. Dexamethasone is already a widely used drug, and in this study, you'd only receive one dose during surgery. Rarely, a temporary slight increase in blood sugar might occur, which usually goes back to normal within 24 hours. This can be more common in people with diabetes but isn't expected to cause serious issues. Other potential side effects are usually only seen with long-term use, not with a single dose. Hip surgery itself carries some usual risks like infection or blood clots, but these are the same whether you're in the study or not. Remember, you can choose to stop being part of the study at any time without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

George Eliot Hospital
Approximate
Nuneaton, England

Common questions

What is 'delirium'?

Delirium is when someone suddenly becomes confused and disoriented, making it hard for them to think clearly. It can be very upsetting for patients and their families.

What is dexamethasone?

Dexamethasone is a common medication that helps reduce inflammation in the body. It's used for many different conditions.

Will I know if I'm getting the study drug or not?

No, neither you nor your doctors will know if you're receiving dexamethasone or standard care. This is to ensure the study results are unbiased and reliable.

How long will I be followed up after my operation?

We will continue to check on your progress, how you're feeling, and your general health for up to 12 months after your hip surgery.

Who is paying for this research?

The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), a major UK health research funder.

How to find out more

Matthew Costa

white16-delphic@ndorms.ox.ac.uk - Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.