The Effect of Oral Administration of Amantadine on Neurological Outcome of Patients With Diffuse Axonal Injury in ICU

Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of death and disability in adults. This study investigated the effect of oral administration of amantadine on the neurological outcomes of patients with diffuse axonal injury (DAI) in the intensive care unit (ICU). This double-blind clinical trial was conducted in the ICU of Imam Hospital in Urmia. Patients with DAI were intubated and received mechanical ventilation in the ICU. They were divided into 2 groups: patients receiving amantadine (A) and placebo (P). The acquired data were analyzed using SPSS, P < .05 significant level. Findings showed no significant difference between the 2 groups in age and sex. There was no significant difference between the mean Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at the time of admission and discharge, and the mean Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) of the patients in 2 groups. No significant difference was observed in the duration of mechanical ventilation, hospitalization, and mortality in both groups (P > .05) in ICU. However, there was a significant difference between the mean GCS at the time of admission and discharge and death. Also, significant differences existed between the mean GOS in discharged and deceased patients (P = .001). This study showed no significant difference between the mean GCS at the time of admission and discharge and the mean GOS of the discharged patients and the mortality rate in the 2 groups. However, there were clear statistical differences between these variables in discharged and deceased patients. It is recommended that further studies are conducted with a larger sample size.