Delirium Assessment Research Articles

Methadone as First-line Opioid for the Management of Cancer Pain.

AimThe aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and adverse effects of methadone when used as first-line therapy in patients that are either receiving low doses of opioids or none.MethodsPatients with advanced cancer were prospectively assessed. Opioid-naive patients (L-group) were started with methadone at 6 mg/day. Patients receiving weak or other opioids in doses of <60 mg/day of OME (H-group) were started with methadone at 9 mg/day. Methadone doses were changed according to the clinical needs to obtain the most favorable balance between analgesia and adverse effects. Edmonton Symptom Asssement Score (ESAS), Memorial Delirium Assessment Score (MDAS), doses of methadone, and the use of adjuvant drugs were recorded before starting the study treatment (T0), 1 week after (T7), 2 weeks after (T14), 1 month after (T30), and 2 months after (T60). Methadone escalation index percent (MEI%) and in mg (MEImg) were calculated at T30 and T60.ResultsEighty-two patients were assessed. In both groups H and L, there were significant changes in pain and symptom intensity at the different times during the study. Adverse effects as causes of drop-out were minimal. Mean MEImg was 0.09 (SD 0.28) and 0.02 (SD 0.07) at T30 and T60, respectively. MEI% was 1.01 (SD 3.08) and 0.27 (SD 0.86) at T30 and T60, respectively.ConclusionMethadone used as a first-line opioid therapy provided good analgesia with limited adverse effects and a minimal opioid-induced tolerance.

Achieving the hip fracture Best Practise Tariff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives:Achieving the hip fracture best practice tariff is associated with decreased mortality rates. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on achieving Best Practice Tariff.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed all adult hip fractures admitted to our unit between March and June 2020. Patient’s characteristics, place of residence, delirium assessment, and mobility status were recorded. All the Best practice Tariff criteria have been analysed. Covid-19 was diagnosed using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.Results:178 patients with a mean age of 82.8 years presented with hip fractures during the study period. 18 patients (10.1%) tested positive for COVID-19. 44.4% failed to achieve the BPT from the COVID-19 positive group and 22.5% from the negative group.Conclusion:Based on this study, hip fractures associated with Covid-19 infection are more likely to fail the BPT and have higher 30-day mortality rates compare to the COVID-19 negative patients.

Massachusetts Intensive Care Unit Nurses From Multiple Hospitals Develop a Collaborative to Improve Delirium Assessment Accuracy.

Early recognition of delirium mobilizes nurses to intervene in a timely manner to minimize cognitive, physical, and mental health burdens. The life-altering challenges of unrecognized delirium in intensive care unit (ICU) patients motivated a group of Massachusetts ICU nurse leaders to form a collaborative and improve delirium screening accuracy in 4 area hospitals. Baseline audits confirmed a lack of delirium screening accuracy across multiple institutions. The purpose of this article is to describe how our collaborative was developed and to outline our delirium accuracy assessment program. In March of 2015, 2 graduates from the Clinical Scene Investigator Academy contacted members within the Boston cohort to form a regional collaborative to improve patient outcomes. The purpose of our project was to improve our delirium assessment accuracy to greater than 80% in patients across our ICUs. Using a successful project, we scaled this work based on the needs of each institution. A preaudit-postaudit design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of our programs. Data showed an improved overall accuracy assessment of 88.3% (P < .01), whereas the patients with an altered Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale markedly improved to 87.7% (P < .01). Every ICU in the United States is working on improving reportable quality metrics, but all too often, this work is being done in silos. When critical care nurses have the knowledge, skills, and time to work together, they can begin to transform health care.

Abstract No. : ABS3718: Comparison of ketamine-dexmedetomidine versus ketamine-propofol combination for sedation during short duration urological procedure: A randomised study

Background and Aims:The present study aimed to compare safety and efficacy of ketamine-dexmedetomidine (KD) with ketamine- Propofol (KP) for sedation during short-duration urological procedure.Methods:The present study enroled and randomised 60 patients into either of the two groups. In Group KD (n=30) received inj dexmedetomidine 1.0 µ/ kg over 10 minutes intravenously followed by inj. ketamine 1 mg/kg as initial dose followed by 0.25mg/kg in titration. In Group KP (n=30) patients received inj propofol 1mg/kg with inj ketamine 1mg/kg as initial dose followed by the same combination top-up dose 0.25mg/kg in titration. Sedation score, Memorial delirium assessment Scale (MIDS), postoperative pain scores and recovery time were recorded. For Independent-samples, t-test was used and for proportion of significance, Chi-square test was used.Results:Post anaesthesia recovery scores (PARS) were 9.03±0.45 in Group KP and 9.06±0.36 in Group KD, p value= 0.79. No significant differences were observed in the level of sedation, PARS and postoperative pain in both the groups. In Group KD, patients were haemodynamically stable as compared to Group KP. There were no episode of apnea in Group KD as compared 6 episodes in Group KP, (p=0.005). No significant adverse event were reported in both the groups.Conclusion:No differences were observed in sedation score and recovery period in both the groups. Patients in Group KD experienced reduced respiratory depression as compared to Group K. Sedation with Ketamine-dexmedetomidine can be considered as a useful alternative to ketamine-propofol in short urological procedures.

Positive scores on the 4AT delirium assessment tool at hospital admission are linked to mortality, length of stay and home time: two-centre study of 82,770 emergency admissions.

BackgroundStudies investigating outcomes of delirium using large-scale routine data are rare. We performed a two-centre study using the 4 ‘A’s Test (4AT) delirium detection tool to analyse relationships between delirium and 30-day mortality, length of stay and home time (days at home in the year following admission).MethodsThe 4AT was performed as part of usual care. Data from emergency admissions in patients ≥65 years in Lothian, UK (n = 43,946) and Salford, UK (n = 38,824) over a period of n}{}sim3 years were analysed using logistic regression models adjusted for age and sex.Results4AT completion rates were 77% in Lothian and 49% in Salford. 4AT scores indicating delirium (≥4/12) were present in 18% of patients in Lothian, and 25% of patients in Salford. Thirty-day mortality with 4AT ≥4 was 5.5-fold greater than the 4AT 0/12 group in Lothian (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.99–6.13) and 3.4-fold greater in Salford (aOR 3.39, 95% CI 2.98–3.87). Length of stay was more than double in patients with 4AT scores of 1–3/12 (indicating cognitive impairment) or ≥ 4/12 compared with 4AT 0/12. Median home time at 1 year was reduced by 112 days (Lothian) and 61 days (Salford) in the 4AT ≥4 group (P < 0.001).ConclusionsScores on the 4AT used at scale in practice are strongly linked with 30-day mortality, length of hospital stay and home time. The findings highlight the need for better understanding of why delirium is linked with poor outcomes and also the need to improve delirium detection and treatment.

403 The Difficulties of Managing Trauma in Elderly Patients in a West of Scotland Trauma Unit

Abstract Aim An increasing number of elderly patients require admission to Trauma &amp; Orthopaedic units throughout Scotland with admissions often complex and lengthy. We aimed to assess the current standard of care within a west of Scotland trauma unit against the 2019 British Orthopaedic Associations Standard of Care (BOAST) - “The care of the older or frail orthopaedic trauma patient” and devise a multi-disciplinary quality improvement strategy. Method All patients over the age of 65 admitted to the Trauma &amp; Orthopaedic department of the University Hospital Wishaw between the 1st-14th of August 2020 were included. Online medical records were assessed and compared to the BOAST guideline. Results were presented to Orthopaedic and Care of the elderly (COTE) team and postgraduate teaching before being re-audited from 1st-14th May 2021. Data was analysed using Chi- Squared test. Results Cycle one vs Cycle two: Falls risk assessment was carried out in 50/57(87.7%) vs 49/57(86.0%); Nutritional assessment carried out in 53/57(93.0%) vs 50/57(87.7%); Delirium assessment carried out in 54/57(94.7%) vs 47/57(82.5%). More patients were reviewed by Acute Care of the Elderly nurses 24/57(42.1%) vs 30/57(52.6%). No significant improvement was seen in the percentage of patients reviewed by a COTE consultant:15/57(26.3%) vs 17/57(29.8%) (P = 0.68). Conclusions Both cycles show good concordance with the BOAST criteria, including physiotherapy reviews, falls and delirium assessment, however significant deficiencies exist, including the provision of COTE input. This has prompted a reconfiguration of orthogeriatric input for trauma patients, with significant investment in the recruitment of COTE medical staff.

Nurses' Knowledge about Delirium in the Group of Intensive Care Units Patients.

Background: Intensive Care Unit (ICU) delirium is a nonspecific, potentially preventable, and often reversible disorder of impaired cognition, which results from various causes in ICU patients. For appropriate management of delirium, early identification and risk factor assessment are key factors. Multidisciplinary collaboration and standardized care can enhance the recognition of delirium. Design: In this study, authors used the exploratory and descriptive study method. Method: The study was conducted in a group of 45 nurses of the cardiac intensive care unit. The department has 16 intensive care stations and is intended for patients after cardiac surgery who require intensive care in the postoperative period. Results: During the analysis the interviews, five Collective Subject Discourses were distinguished: signs and symptoms, physical restraint, use of sedatives, environment, and lack of education. Conclusion: Nurses have no knowledge of the factors contributing to the development of delirium, are unable to communicate with such patients and, most of all, do not know the consequences of the actions taken.

Effect of seasons on delirium in postoperative critically ill patients: a retrospective analysis

Background and objectivesPostoperative delirium is common in critically ill patients and is known to have several predisposing and precipitating factors. Seasonality affects cognitive function which has a more dysfunctional pattern during winter. We, therefore, aimed to test whether seasonal variation is associated with the occurrence of delirium and hospital Length Of Stay (LOS) in critically ill non-cardiac surgical populations. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of adult patients recovering from non-cardiac surgery at the Cleveland Clinic between March 2013 and March 2018 who stayed in Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) for at least 48 hours and had daily Confusion Assessment Method Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) assessments for delirium. The incidence of delirium and LOS were summarized by season and compared using chi-square test and non-parametric tests, respectively. A logistic regression model was used to assess the association between delirium and LOS with seasons, adjusted for potential confounding variables. ResultsAmong 2300 patients admitted to SICU after non-cardiac surgeries, 1267 (55%) had postoperative delirium. The incidence of delirium was 55% in spring, 54% in summer, 55% in fall and 57% in winter, which was not significantly different over the four seasons (p = 0.69). The median LOS was 12 days (IQR = [8, 19]) overall. There was a significant difference in LOS across the four seasons (p = 0.018). LOS during summer was 12% longer (95% CI: 1.04, 1.21; p = 0.002) than in winter. ConclusionsIn adult non-cardiac critically ill surgical patients, the incidence of postoperative delirium is not associated with season. Noticeably, LOS was longer in summer than in winter.

Delirium detection methodologies: Implications for outcome measurement in clinical trials in postoperative delirium.

ObjectiveDelirium is a common postoperative complication of hip fracture. Various methods exist to detect delirium as a reference standard. The goal of this study was to characterize the properties of the measures obtained in a randomized controlled trial, to document their relationship to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders:Text Revision based diagnosis of postoperative delirium by a consensus panel, and to describe the method in detail to allow replication by others.MethodsA secondary analysis of the randomized trial STRIDE (A Strategy to Reduce the Incidence of Postoperative Delirium in Elderly Patients) was conducted. Delirium assessments were performed in 200 consecutive hip fracture repair patients ≥65 years old. Assessors underwent extensive training in delirium assessment and the final delirium diagnosis was adjudicated by a consensus panel of three physicians with expertise in delirium assessment.ResultsA total of 680 consensus panel delirium diagnoses were completed. There were only 19 (2.8%, 19/678) evaluations where the delirium adjudication by the consensus panel differed from delirium findings by the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). In 16 (84%, 16/19) of the cases, CAM was negative but the consensus panel diagnosed the patient as having delirium based on all of the available information including the CAM.ConclusionThe consensus panel diagnosis was more sensitive compared to CAM alone, however the magnitude of the difference was not large. When assessors are well trained and delirium assessments are closely supervised throughout the study, CAM may be adequate for delirium diagnosis in a clinical trial. Future studies are needed to test this hypothesis.

Evaluation of Bedside Tests of Attention and Arousal Assessing Delirium in Parkinson's Disease, Dementia, and Older Adults.

Delirium is a serious acute neuropsychiatric condition associated with altered attention and arousal. To evaluate simple bedside tests for attention and arousal to detect delirium in those with and without Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia. Participants from two prospective delirium studies were pooled comprising 30 with PD without cognitive impairment, 24 with Lewy body cognitive impairment (PD dementia or dementia with Lewy bodies), 16 with another dementia and 179 PD and dementia-free older adults. Participants completed standardised delirium assessments including tests of attention: digit span, Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) attention and months of the year backwards; and arousal: Glasgow Coma Scale (GSC), Observational Scale of Level of Arousal (OSLA), Modified Richmond Agitation Scale and MDAS consciousness. Delirium was diagnosed using the DSM-5 criteria. On their first admission, 21.7%participants had prevalent delirium. Arousal measures accurately detected delirium in all participants (p < 0.01 for all), but only selected attention measures detected delirium in PD and dementia. In PD and dementia-free older adults, impaired digit span and OSLA were the optimal tests to detect delirium (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.838, p < 0.001) while in PD and dementia the optimal tests were MDAS attention and GCS (AUC=0.90 and 0.84, respectively, p < 0.001 for both). Simple bedside tests of attention and arousal at a single visit could accurately detect delirium in PD, dementia and PD and dementia-free older adults; however, the optimal tests differed between groups. Combined attention and arousal scores increased accuracy, which could have clinical utility to aid the identification of delirium neurodegenerative disorders.

Detecting delirium in nursing home residents using the Informant Assessment of Geriatric Delirium (I-AGeD): a validation pilot study

Key summary pointsAimThe aims of this study were to record the prevalence of delirium in residents with the DSM-5, to investigate the feasibility of the I-AGeD in a Swiss nursing home and to compare the results of the I-AGeD with the DSM-5 criteria as the reference standard.FindingsThis study shows that the I-AGeD is suitable for detecting delirium in nursing home residents with a sensitivity of 60% and a specificity of 94%.MessageThe I-AGeD is a simple, brief and feasible assessment tool for the detection of delirium in nursing home residents.

Current status of delirium assessment tools in the intensive care unit: a prospective multicenter observational survey

Delirium is a critical challenge in the intensive care unit (ICU) or high care unit (HCU) setting and is associated with poor outcomes. There is not much literature on how many patients in this setting are assessed for delirium and what tools are used. This study investigated the status of delirium assessment tools of patients in the ICU/HCU. We conducted a multicenter prospective observational study among 20 institutions. Data for patients who were admitted to and discharged from the ICU/HCU during a 1-month study period were collected from each institution using a survey sheet. The primary outcome was the usage rate of delirium assessment tools on an institution- and patient-basis. Secondary outcomes were the delirium prevalence assessed by each institution’s assessment tool, comparison of delirium prevalence between delirium assessment tools, delirium prevalence at the end of ICH/HCU stay, and the relationship between potential factors related to delirium and the development of delirium. Result showed that 95% of institutions used the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) or the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) to assess delirium in their ICU/HCU, and the remaining one used another assessment scale. The usage rate (at least once during the ICU/HCU stay) of the ICDSC and the CAM-ICU among individual patients were 64.5% and 25.1%, and only 8.2% of enrolled patients were not assessed by any delirium assessment tool. The prevalence of delirium during ICU/HCU stay was 17.9%, and the prevalence of delirium at the end of the ICU/HCU stay was 5.9%. In conclusion, all institutions used delirium assessment tools in the ICU/HCU, and most patients received delirium assessment. The prevalence of delirium was 17.9%, and two-thirds of patients had recovered at discharge from ICU/HCU.Trial registration number: UMIN000037834.

Abstract TMP58: Rest-Activity Patterns In Post-Stroke Delirium: A Pilot Study

Background: Delirium is an acute cognitive disturbance frequently characterized by abnormal levels of motor activity and sleep-wake cycle disruption. However, the degree to which delirium affects activity patterns in the acute period after stroke is unclear. We aimed to examine these patterns in a cohort of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods: We enrolled 40 patients with supratentorial ICH and hemiparesis who had daily delirium assessments performed by expert clinicians. Continuous measurements of activity were captured using bilateral wrist actigraphs for the duration of each patient’s admission. Activity data were collected in 1-minute intervals, with “rest” intervals defined as periods with zero activity recorded. We compared differences in activity based on delirium status across multiple time intervals using linear regression models adjusted for age, ICH severity, and mechanical ventilation. Results: There were 312 total days of actigraphy monitoring, of which 233 (75%) were rated as days with delirium; 85% of patients (34/40) experienced delirium during their hospitalization. In multivariable analyses, delirium days were associated with 66.3 (95% CI 9.4-123.2) fewer total minutes of rest, including 6.1% (95% CI 2.3-9.9%) fewer minutes of rest during daytime periods (06:00-21:59) and 9.2% (95% CI 3.3-15.0%) fewer minutes of rest during nocturnal periods (22:00-5:59). In separate analyses for individual hourly intervals, delirium days were associated with significantly higher levels of activity across multiple consecutive time intervals, including 05:00-09:00 and 17:00-03:00. In subgroup analyses, hyperactive or mixed delirium was associated with fewer total daily minutes of rest compared to hypoactive delirium, along with lower proportions of time at rest during both daytime and nocturnal periods (4.3% [95% CI 0.5-8.0%] and 6.5% [95% CI 0.9-12.1%] lower, respectively). Conclusion: Post-stroke delirium is associated with less rest and higher overall levels of activity, especially during nocturnal periods and in patients with hyperactive or mixed delirium.

Abstract WP138: Delirium Is Associated With Higher Rates Of 90-day Hospital Readmission Among Patients With Primary Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background: Delirium in-hospital (DIH) results in poor in-patient outcomes. However, it’s longer-term effects among intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients are not well characterized. We sought to evaluate the association between DIH and 90-day readmission (RA) among primary ICH patients. Method: Clinical, imaging and outcomes data, from May 2016 to June 2021, were obtained from the Neurological Outcomes Registry for ICH (NEURO-RICH) ; an informatics pipeline across 7 comprehensive and primary stroke centers which implement protocolized delirium assessments via 4AT / CAM-ICU scales. Demographic (age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (S/DBP), sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and comorbidity data were analyzed. Survival analysis for time-to-90-Day RA was performed with death modeled as a competing risk. Sub hazard ratios (SHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported. Subgroup with imaging data (ICH score and cerebral small vessel disease) was analyzed. Results: Final analyses included 1,434 ICH patients (mean age: 66.0 years, 47.2% female, 24.8% non-Hispanic Black, 19.9% Hispanic, median GCS: 13.2, SBP: 163 mmHg). In the fully adjusted model, DIH was significantly associated with higher rates of 90-Day RA (SHR, CI: 2.24, 1.04 - 4.81) (Figure 1A). Anticoagulant therapy (1.36, 1.03 - 1.80), hypertension (1.95, 1.38 - 2.74), diabetes (1.13, 1.09 - 1.17), and Charlson Comorbidity Index (1.08, 1.04 - 1.13) were also independently associated with 90-Day RA (SHR, CI reported). In the imaging subgroup of 523 patients, DIH retained independent association with 90-Day RA (SHR: 3.94 [1.37 - 11.36]) (Figure 1B). Discussion: In addition to traditional predictors of poor outcomes among ICH patients, DIH demonstrated strong and independent association with 90-day RA. Screening, identification, and active management of DIH is critical to reduce long-term disease burden of ICH.

Abstract WP116: A Pilot Study Of The Fluctuating Mental Status Evaluation: A Novel Delirium Screening Tool For Patients With Stroke

Background: Delirium occurs frequently in patients with stroke but is often underrecognized. We aimed to develop a novel delirium screening tool designed specifically for stroke patients, and to test its feasibility and accuracy in a pilot study. Methods: We designed an easy-to-use 5-point instrument called the Fluctuating Mental Status Evaluation (FMSE) and tested it in a cohort of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) who had daily delirium assessments throughout their admission. Expert ratings were performed by an attending neurointensivist or behavioral neurologist each afternoon using DSM-5 criteria, and were derived from bedside assessments and clinical data from the preceding 24 hours. Paired FMSE assessments were performed by patients’ clinical nurses after brief training on the use of the tool. Nursing assessments were aggregated over 24-hour periods (including day and night shifts), and accuracy of the FMSE was analyzed on both a per-assessment day and per-patient basis. Results: Among the 40 enrolled patients (mean age 71.1±12.2, median initial NIHSS score 16.5 [IQR 12-20]), 34 experienced delirium during their hospitalization. There were 306 total coma-free days with paired assessments, of which 208 (68%) were rated as days with delirium. Compared to expert ratings, an FMSE score ≥1 had 86% sensitivity and 74% specificity on a per-day basis, while a score ≥2 had 68% sensitivity and 83% specificity. On a per-patient basis, a score ≥1 at any point during admission had 97% sensitivity and 67% specificity in identifying patients who experienced delirium, while a score ≥2 had 94% sensitivity and 67% specificity. Conclusion: The FMSE is a feasible delirium screening tool in ICH patients, with high real-world sensitivity and specificity. Based on these results, we plan to validate the tool in a larger, more diverse cohort of stroke patients, using score cutoffs of ≥1 as “possible” delirium and ≥2 as “probable” delirium.

Delusion and Delirium in Neurodegenerative Disorders: An Overlooked Relationship?

Delusions are part of the neuropsychiatric symptoms that patients suffering from neurodegenerative conditions frequently develop at some point of the disease course and are associated with an increased risk of cognitive and functional decline. Delirium is a syndrome characterized by acute onset of deficits in attention, awareness, and cognition that fluctuate in severity over a short time period. Delusions and delirium are frequently observed in the context of neurodegeneration, and their presence can easily mislead clinicians toward a misdiagnosis of psychiatric disorder further delaying the proper treatment. Risk factors for developing delusion and delirium in neurodegenerative conditions have been investigated separately while the possible interplay between these two conditions has not been explored so far. With this study, we aim to achieve a more comprehensive picture of the relationship between delusions and delirium in neurodegeneration by analyzing prevalence and subtypes of delusions in different neurodegenerative disorders; providing an overview of clinical tools to assess delusions in neurodegenerative patients and how delusions are covered by delirium assessment tools and discussing the possible common pathophysiology mechanisms between delusion and delirium in neurodegenerative patients. A more extensive characterization of the relationship between delusions and delirium may help to understand whether delusions may constitute a risk factor for delirium and may ameliorate the management of both conditions in patients with neurodegenerative disorders.

Comparison of delirium detection tools in acute care : Arapid review.

BackgroundDelirium is a frequent psychopathological syndrome in geriatric patients. It is sometimes the only symptom of acute illness and bears a high risk for complications. Therefore, feasible assessments are needed for delirium detection.Objective and methodsRapid review of available delirium assessments based on a current Medline search and cross-reference check with a special focus on those implemented in acute care hospital settings.ResultsA total of 75 delirium detection tools were identified. Many focused on inattention as well as acute onset and/or fluctuating course of cognitive changes as key features for delirium. A range of assessments are based on the confusion assessment method (CAM) that has been adapted for various clinical settings. The need for a collateral history, time resources and staff training are major challenges in delirium assessment. Latest tests address these through a two-step approach, such as the ultrabrief (UB) CAM or by optional assessment of temporal aspects of cognitive changes (4 As test, 4AT). Most delirium screening assessments are validated for patient interviews, some are suitable for monitoring delirium symptoms over time or diagnosing delirium based on collateral history only.ConclusionBesides the CAM the 4AT has become well-established in acute care because of its good psychometric properties and practicability. There are several other instruments extending and improving the possibilities of delirium detection in different clinical settings.Supplementary InformationThe online version of this article (10.1007/s00391-021-02003-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Potential Value of Cerebrospinal Fluid Progranulin in the Identification of Postoperative Delirium in Geriatrics Patients Undergoing Knee Replacement: The Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorder and Biomarker LifestylE Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether progranulin (PGRN) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were associated with postoperative delirium (POD) in geriatric patients undergoing knee replacement.Method: A total of 600 Han Chinese patients aged 65–90 years and who underwent unilateral total knee arthroplasty were included in the Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorder And Biomarker LifestylE (PNDABLE) study from June 2020 to November 2020. All participants were assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method and the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale on postoperative days 1–7 (or before discharge) by an anesthesiologist. CSF PGRN and CSF biomarkers of POD were measured by ELISA. We analyzed the risk and protective factors of POD using the multivariate logistic regression, and the associations between CSF PGRN and CSF biomarkers of POD using multiple linear regression. We also explored whether the influence of CSF PGRN on POD was mediated by POD core pathology in linear regression models.Results: Postoperative delirium incidence was 9.7% (53/545). There were significant differences in preoperative CSF PGRN between patients with POD and non-POD (NPOD). As for CSF biomarkers, CSF Aβ40, T-tau, and P-tau were risk factors for POD, while CSF PGRN, Aβ42, and Aβ42/Aβ40 were protective factors for POD, as shown by the multivariate logistic regression analysis. CSF PGRN was positively associated with CSF Aβ42 and was negatively associated with CSF Aβ40, T-tau, and P-tau in patients with POD. We found that the AUC was 0.795 (95% CI = 0.706, 0.867) for PGRN between POD and NPOD groups. We found the influence of CSF PGRN on POD was mediated by POD core pathology. The effect was considered partial mediation with the proportion of mediation varying from 44.92 to 62.07%.Conclusion: Cerebrospinal fluid PGRN may be a reasonably good prognostic factor for POD development. Overall, amyloid pathology and tau protein might partially mediate the influence of PGRN on POD.Clinical Trial Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier ChiCTR2000033439.

Psychiatric management of Patients in intensive care units.

Psychiatric management of Patients in intensive care units.

Delirium em pacientes sob ventilação mecânica em terapia intensiva: coorte prospectiva

The aim was to identify the incidence and protective and risk factors for delirium in mechanically ventilated patients in an intensive care unit. Prospective cohort carried out in a public intensive care unit, from September 2019 to February 2020. Results were initially described using absolute and relative frequency. Cox regression was used to identify protective and risk factors for delirium, considering a 95% confidence interval. Protective factors for delirium were the variables of the ABCDEF bundle: assessment, prevention and management of pain, choice of analgesia and sedation (dexmedetomidine), assessment, prevention and management of delirium, and family involvement. The risk factors were alcohol consumption, use of physical restraint, longer hospital stay and mechanical ventilation. The incidence of delirium identified is high and the risk factors deserve immediate intervention, as well as the use of the ABCDEF bundle is suggested to reduce the incidence of delirium in the unit. However, training and qualification of the multidisciplinary team are essential for the assessment and early diagnosis of delirium, as well as for the assessment of daily awakening, type of sedative used, daily decrease in sedation, mechanical ventilation time and permanence of patients in the intensive care unit.