Abstract
Purpose
We studied sedation, cognition, and mood during midazolam infusion in volunteers with red and non-red (blond or brown) hair, to test the hypothesis that patients with red hair may require more drugs to attain desired levels of sedation.
Methods
Twenty red and 19 non-red hair subjects were studied in a randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over design. Subjects were studied during placebo and midazolam at 30 ng· mL−1 target effect site concentration. Sedation was assessed using the observer’s assessment of alertness/sedation (OAA/S) scale, the drowsiness visual analogue scale (VAS), and the bispectral index; cognition was assessed using the Repeatable Battery for Assessment of Neuropsychological Status; and mood was assessed using the bipolar form of the Profile of Mood States (POMS).
Results
Red hair volunteers showed significantly higher OAA/S (P < 0.01) and lower drowsiness VAS (P < 0.05) scores compared to non-red hair subjects during midazolam infusion. Visuospatial score was significantly higher in subjects with red compared to nonred hair during placebo and midazolam trials. Delayed memory score was significantly higher during midazolam infusion in subjects with red compared to non-red hair. There were no group differences in POMS during either trials.
Conclusion
Midazolam appears to cause significantly less sedation and cognitive impairment in red haired subjects.
Résumé
Objectif
Étudier la sédation, la fonction cognitive et l’humeur pendant une perfusion de midazolam chez des volontaires aux cheveux roux et non roux (blonds ou châtains) pour tester l’hypothèse voulant que chez les patients aux cheveux roux, il faut de plus grandes quantités de médicaments pour obtenir les niveaux de sédation désirés.
Méthode
Vingt sujets roux et 19 non roux ont participé à l’étude randomisée, croisée et contrôlée contre placebo, L’expérimentation a eu lieu pendant que la concentration cible au site effecteur était de 30 ng · mL−1 de midazolam ou de placebo. La sédation a été notée avec l’évaluation par un observateur de l’échelle d’attention/sédation (EOA/S), l’échelle visuelle analogique de somnolence (EVA) et l’index bispectral; la fonction cognitive par la Batterie de tests répétables de l’évaluation de l’état neuropsychologique et l’humeur par la forme bipolaire du Profile of Mood States (POMS).
Résultats
Avec le midazolam, les volontaires roux, comparés aux non roux, ont présenté des scores signifcativement plus élevés à l’échelle d’EOA/S (P < 0,01) et moins de somnolence à l’EVA (P < 0,05). Le score visuospatial a été signifcativement plus élevé chez les sujets roux sous placebo ou midazolam. Le score de mémoire différée a été significativement plus élevé avec le midazolam chez les sujets roux. Les scores au POMS n’ont présenté aucune différence intergroupe pendant une épreuve ou l’autre.
Conclusion
Le midazolam semble causer moins de sédation et d’altération de la fonction cognitive chez les sujets aux cheveux roux.
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Chua, M.V., Tsueda, K. & Doufas, A.G. Midazolam causes less sedation in volunteers with red hair. Can J Anesth 51, 25–30 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03018542
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03018542