The risk factors for delirium in older orthopedic surgery patients in post-anesthesia care unit after general anesthesia

Abstract

Objective To investigate the risk factors for delirium incidence in older orthopedic surgery patients in postanesthesia care unit (PACU) following general anesthesia.Methods Sixty-seven cases of elderly patients exposed to orthopedics surgery with general anesthesia were enrolled in the PACU.Delirium was evaluated with the intensive care delirium screening checklist (ICDSC) after extubation for 5 min.We also recorded relevant data for statistical analysis such as intraoperative fluid intake and output,positive reaction for catheterization as well as patient's age,sex,weight,body height and education time.Results Postoperative delirium was observed in 19 patients (5 males and 14 females),accounting for 28.34％.The average age in delirium group(group Z) was (77±7),while non-delirium group (group NZ) was (72±6).Furthermore,the average education time in group Z was(4.6±2.4),which was much lower compared with (6.5±3:1) group NZ,and exhibited statistically significant differences between the two groups (P＜0.05).We also revealed that age may serve as a potential risk factor for delirium via logistic regression analysis for variables observed statistically significant in comparisons between groups (P=0.005,OR=1.231).Conclusions Age may increase the risk of delirium in older orthopedic patients in PACU following general anesthesia. Key words: Post-anesthesia care unit; Delirium; Older