Epidemiology and risk factors for delirium across hospital settings

Melatonin or Ramelteon for Delirium Prevention in the Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Melatonin modulates the circadian rhythm and has been studied as a preventive measure against the development of delirium in hospitalized patients. Such an effect may be more evident in patients admitted to the ICU, but findings from the literature are conflicting. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We assessed whether melatonin or ramelteon (melatonin agonist) reduce delirium incidence as compared to a placebo in ICU patients. Secondary outcomes were ICU length of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) and mortality. Estimates are presented as risk ratio (RR) or mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Nine RCTs were included, six of them reporting delirium incidence. Neither melatonin nor ramelteon reduced delirium incidence (RR 0.76 (0.54, 1.07), p = 0.12; I² = 64%), although a sensitivity analysis conducted adding other four studies showed a reduction in the risk of delirium (RR = 0.67 (95%CI 0.48, 0.92), p = 0.01; I² = 67). Among the secondary outcomes, we found a trend towards a reduction in the duration of MV (MD -2.80 (-6.06, 0.47), p = 0.09; I² = 94%) but no differences in ICU-LOS (MD -0.26 (95%CI -0.89, 0.37), p = 0.42; I² = 75%) and mortality (RR = 0.85 (95%CI 0.63, 1.15), p = 0.30; I² = 0%). Melatonin and ramelteon do not seem to reduce delirium incidence in ICU patients but evidence is weak. More studies are needed to confirm this finding.

Understanding the association between admission source and in-hospital delirium: A cross-sectional study

Patients admitted via interhospital transfer (IHT) experience increased risk-adjusted mortality, adverse events, length of stay, and discharge to facility; however, the etiology is not well understood. We hypothesize that IHTs are more likely to experience in-hospital delirium as compared with admissions to the hospital via the emergency department (ED) and clinic. This is a cross-sectional study of all adult admissions to medical, surgical, neurological, and obstetrics and gynecology services at an academic medical center who were screened for delirium between August 2018 and January 2020. Unit of analysis was admission source (IHT vs ED vs clinic) as the independent variable and the primary outcome was in-hospital delirium, assessed with initial brief confusion assessment method (bCAM) screening. 30,100 hospitalizations were included in this study with 3925 admissions (13.0%) screening positive for delirium at the initial bCAM assessment. The prevalence of delirium was much higher in IHTs at 22.3% (1334/5971) when compared with clinic at 5.8% (244/4214) and ED at 11.8% (2347/19,915) admissions. Multivariable logistic regression adjusting for demographics and comorbidities showed that IHT admissions had higher odds (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.74 to 2.10) and clinic admissions had lower odds (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.64) of in-hospital delirium compared with ED admissions. Increased odds of delirium in IHT admissions may contribute to the observed increased length of stay, discharge to facility, and mortality. These results emphasize the importance of routine screening and possible intervention prior to patient transfer.

A novel approach for the detection of cognitive impairment and delirium risk in older patients undergoing spine surgery

BACKGROUND

Postoperative delirium is a common postsurgical complication in older patients and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine whether a digital cognitive assessment and patient characteristics could identify those at-risk.

METHODS

Patients 65 years and older undergoing spine surgeries ≥3 h were evaluated as part of a single-center prospective observational cohort study at an academic medical center, from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020. Of 220 eligible patients, 161 were enrolled and 152 completed the study. The primary outcome of postoperative delirium was measured by the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit or the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale, administered by trained nursing staff independent from the study protocol. Baseline cognitive impairment was identified using the tablet-based TabCAT Brain Health Assessment.

RESULTS

Of the 152 patients included in this study, 46% were women. The mean [SD] age was 72 [5.4] years. Baseline cognitive impairment was identified in 38% of participants, and 26% had postoperative delirium. In multivariable analysis, impaired Brain Health Assessment Cognitive Score (OR 2.45; 95% CI, 1.05-5.67; p = 0.037), depression (OR 4.54; 95% CI, 1.73-11.89; p = 0.002), and higher surgical complexity Tier 4 (OR 5.88; 95% CI, 1.55-22.26; p = 0.009) were associated with postoperative delirium. The multivariate model was 72% accurate for predicting postoperative delirium, compared to 45% for the electronic medical record-based risk stratification model currently in use.

CONCLUSION

In this prospective cohort study of spine surgery patients, age, cognitive impairment, depression, and surgical complexity identified patients at high risk for postoperative delirium. Integration of scalable digital assessments into preoperative workflows could identify high-risk patients, automate decision support for timely interventions that can improve patient outcomes and lower hospital costs, and provide a baseline cognitive assessment to monitor for postoperative cognitive change.

Associations of body mass index with severe outcomes of COVID-19 among critically ill elderly patients: A prospective study

Background and Aim

Few studies assessed the associations of overweight and obesity with severe outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among elderly patients. This study was conducted to assess overweight and obesity in relation to risk of mortality, delirium, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) requirement during treatment, re-hospitalization, prolonged hospitalization, and ICU admission among elderly patients with COVID-19.

Methods

This was a single-center prospective study that was done on 310 elderly patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU). We collected data on demographic characteristics, laboratory parameters, nutritional status, blood pressure, comorbidities, medications, and types of mechanical ventilation at baseline. Patients were followed up during ICU admission and until 45 days after the first visit, and data on delirium incidence, mortality, need for a form of mechanical ventilation, discharge day from ICU and hospital, and re-hospitalization were recorded for each patient.

Results

During the follow-up period, we recorded 190 deaths, 217 cases of delirium, and 35 patients who required IMV during treatment. After controlling for potential confounders, a significant association was found between obesity and delirium such that obese patients with COVID-19 had a 62% higher risk of delirium compared with normal-weight patients (HR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.02-2.57). This association was not observed for overweight. In terms of other outcomes including ICU/45-day mortality, IMV therapy during treatment, re-hospitalization, prolonged hospitalization, and ICU admission, we found no significant association with overweight and obesity either before or after controlling for potential confounders.

Conclusion

We found that obesity may be a risk factor for delirium among critically ill elderly patients with COVID-19.

Effect of remimazolam on the incidence of delirium after transcatheter aortic valve implantation under general anesthesia: a retrospective exploratory study

PURPOSE

Delirium after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) should be prevented because it is associated with worse patient outcomes. Perioperative administration of benzodiazepines is a risk factor for postoperative delirium; however, the association between remimazolam, a newer ultrashort-acting benzodiazepine for general anesthesia, and postoperative delirium remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate whether remimazolam administration during TAVI under general anesthesia affected the incidence of postoperative delirium.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective study recruited all adult patients who underwent transfemoral TAVI (TF-TAVI) under general anesthesia between March 2020 and May 2022. Patients were divided into the remimazolam (R) and propofol (P) groups according to the sedative used for anesthesia. In the R group, all patients received flumazenil after surgery. The primary endpoint was the incidence of delirium within 3 days after surgery. Factors associated with delirium after TF-TAVI were examined by multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight patients were included in the final analysis (R group, n = 40; P group, n = 58). The incidence of postoperative delirium was significantly lower in the R group than in the P group (8% vs. 26%, p = 0.032). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that remimazolam (odds ratio 0.17, 95% CI 0.04-0.80, p = 0.024) was independently associated with the incidence of postoperative delirium, even after adjustment for age, sex, preoperative cognitive function, history of stroke, and TF-TAVI approach.

CONCLUSION

Remimazolam may benefit TF-TAVI in terms of postoperative delirium; however, its usefulness must be further evaluated in extensive prospective studies.

Predisposing and precipitating risk factors for delirium in gastroenterology and hepatology: Subgroup analysis of 718 patients from a hospital-wide prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Delirium is the most common acute neuropsychiatric syndrome in hospitalized patients. Higher age and cognitive impairment are known predisposing risk factors in general hospital populations. However, the interrelation with precipitating gastrointestinal (GI) and hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) diseases remains to be determined.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Prospective 1-year hospital-wide cohort study in 29'278 adults, subgroup analysis in 718 patients hospitalized with GI/HPB disease. Delirium based on routine admission screening and a DSM-5 based construct. Regression analyses used to evaluate clinical characteristics of delirious patients.

RESULTS

Delirium was detected in 24.8% (178/718). Age in delirious patients (median 62 years [IQR 21]) was not different to non-delirious (median 60 years [IQR 22]), p = 0.45). Dementia was the strongest predisposing factor for delirium (OR 66.16 [6.31-693.83], p < 0.001). Functional impairment, and at most, immobility increased odds for delirium (OR 7.78 [3.84-15.77], p < 0.001). Patients with delirium had higher in-hospital mortality rates (18%; OR 39.23 [11.85-129.93], p < 0.001). From GI and HPB conditions, cirrhosis predisposed to delirium (OR 2.11 [1.11-4.03], p = 0.023), while acute renal failure (OR 4.45 [1.61-12.26], p = 0.004) and liver disease (OR 2.22 [1.12-4.42], p = 0.023) were precipitators. Total costs were higher in patients with delirium (USD 30003 vs. 10977; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Delirium in GI- and HPB-disease was not associated with higher age per se, but with cognitive and functional impairment. Delirium needs to be considered in younger adults with acute renal failure and/or liver disease. Clinicians should be aware about individual risk profiles, apply preventive and supportive strategies early, which may improve outcomes and lower costs.

Association of delirium screening on hospitalized adults and postacute care utilization: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Patients with delirium have increased hospital length of stay (LOS), morbidity and mortality. Impact of delirium on postacute care (PAC) utilization is not fully characterized. Impact of screening for delirium on general medicine patients is unknown. The objective of this study was to assess impact of screening for delirium on inpatient PAC utilization.

METHODS

This was a single center, retrospective cohort study at an academic tertiary care center in Charleston, SC. Patients were selected from adults hospitalized from home and discharged alive between June 2014 and June 2018. The brief confusion assessment method (bCAM) screening was conducted and documented by nursing on admission and every shift thereafter. Outcome measure was the proportion of patients discharged to facility.

RESULTS

Of 93,388 non-ICU adult admission between June 2014 and June 2018, 4.4% of those not screened for delirium were discharged to facility versus 15.0% in those screened and 41.4% in those screening positive. Multivariable regression analysis showed that patients screened for delirium were 2.3 times more likely to discharge to facility (95% CI (2.145, 2.429)) while those with a positive bCAM were 3.3 times more likely than those with a negative bCAM to discharge to facility (95% CI (2.949, 3.712)).

CONCLUSIONS

After adjusting for demographics, medication orders and comorbidities there was an association between screening for delirium, positive delirium screen and discharge to facility. An appreciation of where and why patients are discharged is imperative to optimize both patient care and cost utilization.

Delirium in COVID-19 and post-liver transplant patients: an observational study

OBJECTIVE

Delirium is a major complication in hospitalised patients. This study aimed to compare the mortality trends of patients with delirium according to the underlying physical condition.

METHODS

Hospitalised patients diagnosed with delirium by the Modena Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Service (Italy) during 2020 were enrolled. Three groups were identified: COVID; after orthotopic liver transplant (OLT); other conditions. The full medical records were screened to retrieve socio-demographic and clinical data. INTERMED score and Delirium Rating Scale were used to retrospectively rate bio-social-complexity and delirium severity. Early (20 days) and end of study (31^st January 2021) mortality were ascertained for each subject.

RESULTS

A total of 103 patients were enrolled. Patients hospitalised for COVID showed higher INTERMED scores (two-tailed t-test, p = 0.019) and higher 20-day mortality (HR = 3.68, p = 0.014). When considering a 1-year follow-up, the main predictor of mortality was patients' age in all three subgroups (HR = 1.06; p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that patients hospitalised for COVID-19 with delirium showed higher bio-psycho-social complexity and higher short-term mortality, regardless of the severity of delirium. OLT patients showed lower mortality and bio-psycho-social complexity, despite being still considered as 'complex', according to the INTERMED score. Future research should focus on understanding the underlying mechanisms in the relationship between delirium and mortality.Key pointsPatients hospitalised for COVID-19 with delirium were found at risk of higher short-term mortality and higher bio-psycho-social complexity.OLT patients showed lower overall mortality and lower bio-psycho-social complexity than the other two groups, despite being still in the 'complex' range according to the INTERMED score.Future research should assess the areas of impact of delirium in patients affected by COVID-19, considering short- and long-term outcomes.

Automated machine learning-based model for the prediction of delirium in patients after surgery for degenerative spinal disease

OBJECTIVE

This study used machine learning algorithms to identify critical variables and predict postoperative delirium (POD) in patients with degenerative spinal disease.

METHODS

We included 663 patients who underwent surgery for degenerative spinal disease and received general anesthesia. The LASSO method was used to screen essential features associated with POD. Clinical characteristics, preoperative laboratory parameters, and intraoperative variables were reviewed and were used to construct nine machine learning models including a training set and validation set (80% of participants), and were then evaluated in the rest of the study sample (20% of participants). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and Brier scores were used to compare the prediction performances of different models. The eXtreme Gradient Boosting algorithms (XGBOOST) model was used to predict POD. The SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) package was used to interpret the XGBOOST model. Data of 49 patients were prospectively collected for model validation.

RESULTS

The XGBOOST model outperformed the other classifier models in the training set (area under the curve [AUC]: 92.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 90.7%-95.0%), validation set (AUC: 87.0%, 95% CI: 80.7%-93.3%). This model also achieved the lowest Brier Score. Twelve vital variables, including age, serum albumin, the admission-to-surgery time interval, C-reactive protein level, hypertension, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative minimum blood pressure, cardiovascular-cerebrovascular disease, smoking, alcohol consumption, pulmonary disease, and admission-intraoperative maximum blood pressure difference, were selected. The XGBOOST model performed well in the prospective cohort (accuracy: 85.71%).

CONCLUSION

A machine learning model and a web predictor for delirium after surgery for the degenerative spinal disease were successfully developed to demonstrate the extent of POD risk during the perioperative period, which could guide appropriate preventive measures for high-risk patients.

Delirium severity does not differ between medical and surgical intensive care units after adjusting for medication use

Severe delirium is associated with an increased risk of mortality, institutionalization, and length of stay. Few studies have examined differences in delirium severity between different populations of critically ill patients. The objective of the study was to compare delirium severity and the presence of the four core features between adults in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) and medical intensive care unit (MICU) while controlling for variables known to be associated with delirium. This is a secondary analysis of two parallel randomized multi-center trials conducted from March 2009 to January 2015 at 3 Indianapolis hospitals. A total of 474 adults with delirium were included in the analysis. Subjects were randomized in a 1:1 ratio in random blocks of 4 by a computer program. Patients were randomized to either haloperidol prescribing or de-prescribing regimen vs usual care. Delirium severity was assessed daily or twice-daily using the CAM-ICU-7 beginning after 24 h of ICU admission and until discharge from the hospital, death, or 30 days after enrollment. Secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay, hospital and 30-day mortality, and delirium-related adverse events. These outcomes were compared between SICU and MICU settings for this secondary analysis. Out of 474 patients, 237 were randomized to intervention. At study enrollment, the overall cohort had a mean age of 59 (SD 16) years old, was 54% female, 44% African-American, and 81% were mechanically ventilated upon enrollment. MICU participants were significantly older and severely ill with a higher premorbid cognitive and physical dysfunction burden. In univariate analysis, SICU participants had significantly higher mean total CAM-ICU-7 scores, corresponding to delirium severity, (4.15 (2.20) vs 3.60 (2.32), p = 0.02), and a lower mean RASS score (- 1.79 (1.28) vs - 1.53 (1.27), p < 0.001) compared to MICU participants. Following adjustment for benzodiazepines and opioids, delirium severity did not significantly differ between groups. The presence of Feature 3, altered level of consciousness, was significantly associated with the SICU participants, identifying as Black, premorbid functional impairment, benzodiazepines, opioids, and dexmedetomidine. In this secondary analysis examining differences in delirium severity between MICU and SICU participants, we did not identify a difference between participant populations following adjustment for administered benzodiazepines and opioids. We did identify that an altered level of consciousness, core feature 3 of delirium, was associated with SICU setting, identifying as Black, activities of daily living, benzodiazepines and opioid medications. These results suggest that sedation practice patterns play a bigger role in delirium severity than the underlying physiologic insult, and expression of core features of delirium may vary based on individual factors.Trial registration CT#: NCT00842608.

The development of a web-based app employing machine learning for delirium prevention in long-term care facilities in South Korea

Background

Long-term care facilities (LCFs) in South Korea have limited knowledge of and capability to care for patients with delirium. They also often lack an electronic medical record system. These barriers hinder systematic approaches to delirium monitoring and intervention. Therefore, this study aims to develop a web-based app for delirium prevention in LCFs and analyse its feasibility and usability.

Methods

The app was developed based on the validity of the AI prediction model algorithm. A total of 173 participants were selected from LCFs to participate in a study to determine the predictive risk factors for delerium.

The app was developed in five phases: (1) the identification of risk factors and preventive intervention strategies from a review of evidence-based literature, (2) the iterative design of the app and components of delirium prevention, (3) the development of a delirium prediction algorithm and cloud platform, (4) a pilot test and validation conducted with 33 patients living in a LCF, and (5) an evaluation of the usability and feasibility of the app, completed by nurses (Main users).

Results

A web-based app was developed to predict high risk of delirium and apply preventive interventions accordingly. Moreover, its validity, usability, and feasibility were confirmed after app development. By employing machine learning, the app can predict the degree of delirium risk and issue a warning alarm. Therefore, it can be used to support clinical decision-making, help initiate the assessment of delirium, and assist in applying preventive interventions.

Conclusions

This web-based app is evidence-based and can be easily mobilised to support care for patients with delirium in LCFs. This app can improve the recognition of delirium and predict the degree of delirium risk, thereby helping develop initiatives for delirium prevention and providing interventions. Moreover, this app can be extended to predict various risk factors of LCF and apply preventive interventions. Its use can ultimately improve patient safety and quality of care.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12911-022-01966-8.

Chlordiazepoxide-induced delirium in a patient undergoing alcohol withdrawal: a case report

Background

Ethanol dependence is associated with a discontinuation withdrawal delirium. Chlordiazepoxide is frequently successfully used in its treatment.

Case presentation

A 27-year-old, Caucasian female with ethanol dependence who had objective symptoms of withdrawal experienced worsening of her delirium after administration of chlordiazepoxide, but improved with lorazepam and cleared with discontinuation of benzodiazepine administration.

Conclusions

Worsening of delirium appears to be related to the specific use of chlordiazepoxide, but the mechanism of this effect is not clear. While this case does not alter the standard care of ethanol dependence, it does alert clinicians that our treatment approach may not be fully benign.

Investigation of Risk Factors for Postoperative Delirium after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A Retrospective Study

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an effective treatment for severe aortic stenosis (AS); however, postoperative delirium (POD) can worsen patient outcomes. This study aimed to examine the risk factors for POD after TAVI, including possible intervening factors. We included 87 patients (mean age: 83) who underwent TAVI between May 2014 and September 2018. POD was defined by the presence or absence of delirium on ICU admission, assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU. Factors that showed significant differences in the univariate analysis were analyzed using a multiple logistic regression analysis. In total, 31 patients (36%) had POD after ICU admission, and 56 (64%) did not. The preoperative frailty score and aortic valve opening area (AVA) were significant risk factors for POD. The multivariate analysis also showed that both factors were independent risk factors for POD (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.805). There were no significant differences in the number of ICU days. However, postoperative hospitalization was significantly longer in the POD group (19 (17–31) days vs. 16 (13–22) days; p = 0.002). POD was associated with a narrow AVA and frailty; this suggests that frailty prevention interventions according to the AVA may be important.

A systematic review of strategies for preventing delirium in patients undergoing vascular surgery

OBJECTIVES

Elderly patients undergoing vascular surgery are at risk of developing postoperative delirium, which is associated with a high mortality. Delirium prevention is difficult and is investigated in surgical patients from various specialisms, but little is known about delirium prevention in vascular surgery. For this reason we performed a systematic review on strategies for delirium prevention in patients undergoing elective surgery for peripheral arterial disease or for an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta.

METHODS

This systematic review included studies describing strategies for preventing delirium in patients undergoing elective surgery for peripheral arterial disease or for an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. The search was conducted using the keywords 'vascular surgery', 'prevention' and 'delirium', and was last run on October 21st, 2021 in the electronic databases Pubmed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane library and Emcare. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomized controlled trials and the ROBINS-1 tool for observational studies.

RESULTS

Four studies including 565 patients were included in the systematic review. A significant decrease in the incidence of delirium was reported by a study investigating the effect of comprehensive geriatric assessments within patients undergoing surgery for an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta or lower limb bypass surgery (24% in the control group versus 11% in the intervention group, p = 0.018), and in the total group of a study evaluating the effect of outpatient clinic multimodal prehabilitation for patients with an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta (11.7% in the control group versus 8.2% in the intervention group, p = 0.043, OR = 0.56). A non-significant decrease in delirium incidence was described for patients receiving a multidisciplinary quality improvement at the vascular surgical ward (21.4% in the control group versus 14.6% in the intervention group, p = 0.17). The study concerning the impact of the type of anaesthesia on delirium in eleven older vascular surgical patients, of which three developed delirium, did not differentiate between the different types of anaesthesia the patients received.

CONCLUSION

Despite the high and continuous increasing incidence of delirium in the growing elderly vascular population, little is known about effective preventive strategies. An approach to address multiple risk factors simultaneously seems to be promising in delirium prevention, whether through multimodal prehabilitation or comprehensive geriatric assessments. Several strategies including prehabilitation programs have been proven to be successful in other types of surgery and more research is required to evaluate effective preventive strategies and prehabilitation programs in vascular surgical patients.

Using a Standardized Rounding Tool to Improve the Incidence of Spontaneous Awakening and Breathing Trials

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous awakening and breathing trials have been associated with shorter durations of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit lengths of stay.

LOCAL PROBLEM

Inconsistent spontaneous awakening trials and spontaneous breathing trials, mechanical ventilation weaning strategies, and interdisciplinary rounding processes contributed to prolonged mechanical ventilation duration and length of stay in a 44-bed adult medical intensive care unit. Methods A standardized rounding tool that focused on coordinating spontaneous awakening and breathing trials, and on their outcomes, was integrated into daily multidisciplinary rounds in a medical intensive care unit. Aggregated patient data from the 4-month project implementation phase were compared with historical data collected for 2 months before project implementation.

RESULTS

During the 2-month preintervention phase, 613 adult patients were managed in the medical intensive care unit and 41 patients required mechanical ventilation, whereas during the 4-month intervention phase, 1271 patients were managed in the unit and 96 patients required mechanical ventilation. The project was associated with a 24% (0.89-day) reduction in the mean length of stay (3.72 vs 2.83 days) and a 46.3% (2.81 day) reduction in mechanical ventilation duration (6.06 vs 3.25 days) when comparing August 2019 to January 2020.

DISCUSSION

A standardized rounding tool emphasizing a coordinated process for spontaneous awakening and breathing trials was associated with a shorter length of stay and duration of mechanical ventilation among patients in the medical intensive care unit.

CONCLUSION

An evidence-based approach to weaning from mechanical ventilation and standardized rounding may be a cost-effective way to reduce mechanical ventilation duration and length of stay in a medical intensive care unit.

A Case of Refractory Delirium Managed by a Multimodal Approach Using Atypical Antipsychotics, Antidepressants, and Benzodiazepines in an ICU Setting

Delirium is an acute confusional state, most commonly observed in elderly patients admitted to the critical care unit. In most cases, early recognition, avoiding triggering factors and conservative measures are adequate for the management, but sometimes symptoms persist despite adequate medical care, which goes in the favor of refractory delirium. Refractory delirium has no clear-cut definition but it is discussed in some of the case reports and literature as the presence of symptoms despite adequate treatment without impairing consciousness. Management of such refractory symptoms requires careful evaluation to identify the cause and predominant symptoms, which further helps in choosing a better therapeutic regime. It is often difficult to manage such cases and require sedatives and anti-psychotics to reverse the condition. Atypical antipsychotics are now playing a prominent role in the management of refractory delirium, and the selection of a drug that is suitable for the patient profile with negligible side effects is of utmost importance. We are presenting one such case, with multiple causes for his delirium, with a predominant hyperactive state and the refractory symptoms managed by atypical antipsychotics, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines.

Mitochondrial DNA methylation drift and postoperative delirium in mice

BACKGROUND

Mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to the etiopathogenesis of postoperative delirium (POD), which severely affects the prognosis of elderly patients undergoing surgery. The methylation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), a new and incompletely described phenomenon that regulates the structure and function of mitochondria, is associated with ageing. However, the relationship between mtDNA methylation and POD has not been established.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the potential roles of mitochondrial epigenetic regulation in POD.

DESIGN

A randomised animal study.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighty-eight 6-month-old and one hundred seventy-six 18-month-old male C57BL/6N mice.

INTERVENTIONS

POD was induced by abdominal surgery under 1.4% isoflurane for 2 h. Behavioural tests were performed at 24 h before surgery and at 6, 9 and 24 h after surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

5-methylcytosine (5-mC) at five CpG sites of the displacement loop (D-loop) and at 60 CpG sites of coding gene loci in the mitochondrial genome after surgery of the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex in 6 and 18-month-old mice were detected using bisulfite pyrosequencing. Mitochondrial structure, mitochondrial gene expression and mtDNA copy number were also examined using Electron microscopy and real time PCR to find the association with mtDNA methylation.

RESULTS

The mtDNA methylation drift manifested as a decrease in the methylation levels at the D-loop and an increase or decrease in the methylation levels at several coding gene loci, ultimately resulting in reduced mtDNA copy numbers, altered mitochondrial gene expression and damaged mitochondrial structures in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex after surgery. The activation of Silent information regulator-1 (SIRT1) ameliorated anaesthesia-induced and surgery-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and delirium-like behaviours by regulating mtDNA methyltransferase-mediated mtDNA methylation.

CONCLUSION

These data support the existence of epigenetic mtDNA regulation in POD; however, further studies are required to explore the specific mechanisms.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

No 20181204 Drum tower hospital.

Risk factors for delirium in adult patients receiving specialist palliative care: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Delirium is common and distressing for patients receiving palliative care. Interventions targetting modifiable risk factors in other settings have been shown to prevent delirium. Research on delirium risk factors in palliative care can inform context-specific risk-reduction interventions.

AIM

To investigate risk factors for the development of delirium in adult patients receiving specialist palliative care.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO CRD42019157168).

DATA SOURCES

CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, MEDLINE and PsycINFO (1980-2021) were searched for studies reporting the association of risk factors with delirium incidence/prevalence for patients receiving specialist palliative care. Study risk of bias and certainty of evidence for each risk factor were assessed.

RESULTS

Of 28 included studies, 16 conducted only univariate analysis, 12 conducted multivariate analysis. The evidence for delirium risk factors was limited with low to very low certainty.

POTENTIALLY MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS

Opioids and lower performance status were positively associated with delirium, with some evidence also for dehydration, hypoxaemia, sleep disturbance, liver dysfunction and infection. Mixed, or very limited, evidence was found for some factors targetted in multicomponent prevention interventions: sensory impairments, mobility, catheter use, polypharmacy (single study), pain, constipation, nutrition (mixed evidence).

NON-MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS

Older age, male sex, primary brain cancer or brain metastases and lung cancer were positively associated with delirium.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings may usefully inform interventions to reduce delirium risk but more high quality prospective cohort studies are required to enable greater certainty about associations of different risk factors with delirium during specialist palliative care.

Association of Nutritional Status with New-Onset Delirium in Elderly, Acute Care, Orthopaedic Trauma Patients: A Single-Center Observational Study

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether nutritional status at hospital admission is independently associated with new-onset delirium (NOD) in elderly, orthopaedic trauma patients.

DESIGN

Single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Data from patients at a large teaching hospital in Boston, MA, were analyzed.

PATIENTS

All patients were ≥65 years and hospitalized for acute surgical management of their major fractures after trauma.

INTERVENTION

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT

Nutritional status was assessed at admission using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF). Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method within 24 hours of admission and daily throughout hospitalization.

RESULTS

The incidence of delirium was 20% (94/471). Each unit decrement in MNA-SF was associated with a 14% higher risk of NOD (adjusted OR 1.14; 95% CI 1.05-1.28). Moreover, malnourished patients (MNA-SF score 0-7) were twice as likely to develop NOD (adjusted OR 2.07; 95% CI 1.01-4.35) compared with patients who were not malnourished (MNA-SF score 8-14).

CONCLUSIONS

In hospitalized, elderly, orthopaedic trauma patients, poor nutritional status may be a modifiable risk factor for NOD. Future studies are needed to determine whether aggressive nutritional interventions can reduce the incidence of NOD and improve outcomes in this cohort of patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Plasma 5-HIAA activity indicative of serotonergic disturbances in cognitively impaired, elderly patients experiencing postoperative delirium

OBJECTIVES

Delirium frequently arises in older demented and non-demented patients in postoperative, clinical settings. To date, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain poorly understood. Monoamine neurotransmitter alterations have been linked to delirium and cognitive impairment. Our aim was to investigate if this holds true in cognitively normal and impaired patients experiencing delirium following hip surgery.

METHODS

Monoamines and metabolites were measured in plasma samples of 181 individuals by means of reversed-phase ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Delirium and delirium severity were scored with the Confusion Assessment Method and Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-1998. Cognitive function was assessed using the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline and the Mini-Mental State Examination, multimorbidity with the Charlson Comorbidity Index.

RESULTS

Plasma 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), the major metabolite of serotonin (5-HT), was significantly higher in delirious and non-delirious cognitively impaired subjects as compared to control individuals without delirium and cognitive impairment (p < 0.001 and p = 0.007), which remained highly significant after excluding patients taking psychotropic medication (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.003). No significant differences were found for cognitively normal delirious patients, although serotonergic levels were numerically higher compared to control counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate a general serotonergic disturbance in delirious and non-delirious postoperative patients suffering from cognitive impairment. We observed a similar, but less pronounced difference in delirious patients, which suggests serotonergic disturbances may be further aggravated by the co-occurrence of delirium and cognitive impairment.

The Importance of Diagnosing Concomitant Delirium and Catatonia: A Case Report

Catatonia syndrome is characterized by motor, behavioral and affective abnormalities in association with psychiatric and medical illnesses and delirium syndrome is defined as acute brain dysfunction caused by an underlying medical condition or toxic exposure. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) contains a caveat that limits diagnosing catatonia in patients during delirium. However, the literature has shown that up to 31% of patients have co-occurring catatonia and delirium when using the Bush Francis Catatonia Rating Scale and 12.7% of patients with delirium meet DSM-5 criteria for catatonia. The authors present a case of a patient with concomitant delirium and catatonia. Diagnosing catatonia in this patient, even in the setting of delirium, was necessary for appropriate treatment and clinical improvement. Typical treatment for patients with delirium, antipsychotic medication, contributes to the worsening of catatonia while first-line treatment for catatonia, benzodiazepines, has been shown to exacerbate delirium. Delayed recognition of the patient’s catatonia resulted in inadequate treatment that worsened her catatonic symptoms and prolonged hospitalization. The potential contraindications to treatment interventions call for an appropriate diagnosis of catatonia when co-occurring with delirium despite the DSM-5 limitation. The World Health Organization (WHO) ICD-11 code for catatonia allows for less exclusivity in assessing for clinical catatonia in that the limitations to diagnosis only include harmful effects of drugs, medicaments or biological substance, not elsewhere classified - a more collaborative definition for catatonia criteria in the DSM-5 and the ICD-11 codes can provide a way forward with more flexibility in symptom interpretation and treatment.

Association between delirium and cognitive impairment: there is a link?

BACKGROUND

Delirium and dementia are both disorders involving global cognitive impairment that can occur separately or at the same time in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the frequency, correlation and relative risk between delirium and cognitive impairment in a prospective population study starting at basal line (onset of delirium) over a period of five years. The secondary aim was to determine any possible correlation between the kind of delirium and a specific type of dementia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We studied 325 patients, diagnosed according to the DSM-IV. The neuropsychological, moods and delirium disorders were evaluated with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98, MMSE, Rey auditory-verbal learning test, Digit Span, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Raven Progressive Matrices, ADL and IADL.

RESULTS

The prevalence of delirium in our population was 89 cases (27.4%): 78 patients (48 women and 30 men) showed evolution toward dementia (mean age was 67.9 ± 6.1 years for men and 68.4 ± 9.1 for women), and 11 patients (5 men and 6 women) presented only isolated delirium without evolution toward cognitive impairment (mean age of men was 68.1 ± 5.1 years and of women 66.4 ± 7.1). The neuropsychological study of the patients with delirium with dementia evolution revealed statistically significant differences over time with statistically significant intergroup difference and predisposition toward depression.

CONCLUSION

The association between delirium and cognitive impairment and the possible role of delirium as an early marker of neurodegenerative diseases need to be future investigated.

[Delirium-an interdisciplinary challenge]

BACKGROUND

Delirium is a common and potentially life-threatening disease that often poses major problems for hospitals in terms of care. It mainly affects older patients and is multifactorial, especially in older people. Permanent functional and cognitive impairments after delirium are not uncommon in geriatric patients.

DIAGNOSTIC

Often, delirious syndromes are not recognized or are misinterpreted. This is especially the case with the hypoactive form of delirium. Various screening and test procedures are available for the detection of delirium, the routine use of which is essential.

TREATMENT

In many cases, delirium can be avoided with suitable preventive measures. Above all, nondrug prevention strategies and multidimensional approaches play an important role here. For the drug treatment of delirium in geriatric patients, low-potency, classic and atypical neuroleptics, as well as dexmedetomidine for severe courses are recommended.

Risk Factors for Delirium and Association of Antipsychotic Use with Delirium Progression in Critically Ill Trauma Patients

Background

Delirium occurs frequently in critically ill and injured patients and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Limited data exists on the risk factors for developing delirium in critically ill trauma patients and the effect of antipsychotic (AP) medications on delirium progression.

Objective

The objective of this study is to determine the incidence of delirium in critically ill trauma versus non-trauma surgical patients and determine if the presence of trauma was associated with intensive care unit (ICU) delirium. Secondary outcomes included identifying risk factors for delirium and determining the impact of AP medication use on delirium progression in critically ill trauma patients.

Methods

This retrospective review studies adult trauma/surgical ICU patients admitted between May 2017-July 2018 to a level I trauma and tertiary referral center. Regression modeling was used to determine the impact of AP use on delirium-free days.

Results

Delirium was more common in critically ill trauma patients versus non-trauma surgical ICU patients [54/157 (34.4%) vs 42/270 (15.6%), P < .001]. Of the 54 trauma patients with delirium, 28 (52%) received an AP medication for delirium treatment and in the multiple linear regression analysis, AP use was significantly associated with fewer delirium-free days ( P = .02).

Discussion

Higher admission sequential organ failure assessment scores and increased length of stay were significantly associated with delirium onset in critically ill trauma patients. Use of AP medications for delirium treatment in this population had a negative impact on delirium-free days.

Point prevalence of delirium among critically ill patients in Saudi Arabia: A multicenter observational study

Background:

Delirium in critically ill patients is independently associated with poor clinical outcomes. There is a scarcity of published data on the prevalence of delirium among critically ill patients in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, we sought to determine, in a multicenter fashion, the prevalence of delirium in critically ill patients in Saudi Arabia and explore associated risk factors.

Methods:

A cross-sectional point prevalence study was conducted on January 28, 2020, at 14 intensive care units (ICUs) across 3 universities and 11 other tertiary care hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Delirium was screened once using the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist. We excluded patients who were unable to participate in a valid delirium assessment, patients admitted with traumatic brain injury, and patients with documented dementia in their medical charts.

Results:

Of the 407 screened ICU patients, 233 patients were enrolled and 45.9% were diagnosed with delirium. The prevalence was higher in mechanically ventilated patients compared to patients not mechanically ventilated (57.5% vs. 33.6%; P < 0.001). In a multivariate model, risk factors independently associated with delirium included age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.021; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.04; P = 0.008), mechanical ventilation (AOR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.34–4.28; P = 0.003), and higher severity of illness (AOR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.001–1.021; P = 0.026).

Conclusion:

In our study, delirium remains a prevalent complication, with distinct risk factors. Further studies are necessary to investigate long-term outcomes of delirium in critically ill patients in Saudi Arabia.

Brain Prehabilitation for Oncologic Surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review aims to summarize the current research on postoperative cognitive complications, such as delirium and cognitive dysfunction. This includes discussion on preoperative preventive strategies, such as physical and nutritional prehabilitation as well as up-to-date information on neuroprehabilitation.

RECENT FINDINGS

Current recommendations for prevention of postoperative delirium have focused on multicomponent interventions. The optimal composition of surgical prehabilitation programs targeting exercise and nutrition has not yet been established. The Neurobics Trial shows that cognitive prehabilitation improves cognitive reserve and may be a useful addition to multimodal surgical prehabilitation. Perioperative management of oncologic patients is often associated with a myriad of challenges, such as the management of tumor-related pathologies, adverse events from neoadjuvant therapy, and chronic metabolic and immunological changes associated with malignancy. In addition, oncologic patients are at increased risk of developing frailty, which adversely affects postoperative recovery and further cancer treatment. As a result, oncologic patients are at considerable risk of developing postoperative cognitive complications, such as delirium and cognitive dysfunction. In this review, we discuss the effect of prehabilitation on postoperative cognitive outcomes.

Animal-Assisted Interventions in Intensive Care Delirium: A Literature Review

Critical illness has lasting consequences on the mind and the body. Acute sequelae include a decline in cognitive function known as delirium. Increased interest in improving outcomes for intensive care unit survivors without a high incidence of delirium has initiated a focus on an array of nonpharmacologic interventions in many countries. One such intervention is animalassisted intervention. As the role of animals in human healing is being recognized by clinicians, need is increasing for formal and professionally directed therapies. This review ascertains the effect of interaction with animals on critically ill patients. Emerging evidence indicates that animal-assisted intervention improves the efficacy of critical care regarding primary symptoms and secondary factors of delirium.

Incidence and predictors of delirium on the intensive care unit after acute myocardial infarction, insight from a retrospective registry

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to identify the incidence and potential risk factors for delirium after myocardial infarction (MI).

BACKGROUND

Delirium is a common complication on intensive care units. Data on incidence and especially on predictors of delirium in patients after acute MI are rare.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, all patients hospitalized for MI treated with coronary angiography in an university hospital in 2018 were included and analyzed. Onset of delirium within the first 5 days after MI was attributed to the MI and was defined by a Nursing Delirium screening scale (NuDesc) ≥2. This score is taken as part of daily care in every patient on intensive care unit three times a day by especially trained nurses.

RESULTS

A total of 624 patients with MI (age 68.5 ± 13.2 years, ST-elevation MI 41.6%, hospital mortality 3.2%) were included in the study. Delirium was detected in 10.9% of all patients. In the subgroup of patients with a stay on the intensive care unit (ICU) for more than 24 hr (n = 229), delirium was detected in 29.7%. Hospital and ICU stay were significantly longer in patients with delirium (p < .001). Delirium was an independent predictor of prolonged ICU-stay. Independent predictors of delirium were age, dementia, alcohol abuse, cardiac arrest, hypotension, and leucocytosis. Infarct size or presentation with ST-elevation were not associated with incidence of delirium.

CONCLUSION

Development of delirium is frequent after acute MI and prolongs hospitalization. Incidence of delirium is associated with clinical instability, preexisting comorbidity, and age rather than MI type or size.

Effect of dexmedetomidine on postoperative delirium in patients undergoing brain tumour resections: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common complication. The incidence of POD is about 25% in non-cardiac surgery and ranges from 10% to 30% in neurological procedures. A lot of trials show that dexmedetomidine might help to reduce the incidence of delirium in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. However, the impact of dexmedetomidine on POD for patients undergoing craniotomy and tumour resections remains unclear.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The study is a prospective, single-centre, randomised, double-blinded, paralleled-group controlled trial. Patients undergoing elective frontotemporal tumour resections will be randomly assigned to the dexmedetomidine group and the control group. After endotracheal intubation, patients in the dexmedetomidine group will be administered with a loading dose of dexmedetomidine 0.6 µg/kg in 10 min followed by continuous infusion at a rate of 0.4 µg/kg/hour until the start of dural closure. In the control group, patients will receive the identical volume of normal saline in the same setting. The primary outcome will be the cumulative incidence of POD within 5 days. The delirium assessment will be performed by using the confusion assessment method in the first 5 consecutive days after surgery. Secondary outcomes include the pain severity assessed by Numerical Rating Scale pain score, quality of postoperative sleep assessed by the Richards Campbell sleep questionnaire and postoperative quality of recovery from anaesthesia by the Postoperative Quality Recovery Scale.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The protocol (V.1.0, 10 November 2020) has been approved by the Ethics Review Committee of the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (number ChiECRCT-20200436). The findings of the study will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and at a scientific conference.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04674241.

[Delirium Management in Palliative Care]

Delirium Management in Palliative Care Abstract. Delirium is one of the most common neuropsychiatric complications in patients with advanced incurable disease. End-of-life delirium is common but is often overlooked, undiagnosed or incorrectly diagnosed/untreated. Delirium should also be treated in a palliative situation - as far as possible - because persistent delirious states increase the patient's fragility, limit physical functionality and shorten the lifespan. In addition, acute states of confusion trigger high levels of distress in affected patients and their relatives, impair the quality of life and a dignified dying process. While hallucinations and visions at the end of life are interpreted as delirium in medicine and treated as such, this phenomenon is interpreted by philosophical and theological hermeneutics as a resource that can help patients and their relatives to reconcile with past life events and to deal with the process of dying. However, the occurrence of end-of-life visions as opposed to delirium has not yet been studied very much and requires more detailed exploration.

Predisposing and Precipitating Risk Factors for Delirium in Elderly Patients Admitted to a Cardiology Ward: An Observational Cohort Study in 1,042 Patients

Aim: Although the risk factors for delirium in general medicine are well-established, their significance in cardiac diseases remains to be determined. Therefore, we evaluated the predisposing and precipitating risk factors in patients hospitalized with acute and chronic heart disease.

Methods and Results: In this observational cohort study, 1,042 elderly patients (≥65 years) admitted to cardiology wards, 167 with and 875 without delirium, were included. The relevant sociodemographic and cardiac- and medical-related clusters were assessed by simple and multiple regression analyses and prediction models evaluating their association with delirium. The prevalence of delirium was 16.0%. The delirious patients were older (mean 80 vs. 76 years; p < 0.001) and more often institutionalized prior to admission (3.6 vs. 1.4%, p = 0.05), hospitalized twice as long (12 ± 10 days vs. 7 ± 7 days; p < 0.001), and discharged more often to nursing homes (4.8 vs. 0.6%, p < 0.001) or deceased (OR, 2.99; 95% CI, 1.53–5.85; p = 0.003). The most relevant risk factor was dementia (OR, 18.11; 95% CI, 5.77–56.83; p < 0.001), followed by history of stroke (OR, 6.61; 95% CI 1.35–32.44; p = 0.020), and pressure ulcers (OR, 3.62; 95% CI, 1.06–12.35; p = 0.040). The predicted probability for developing delirium was highest in patients with reduced mobility and institutionalization prior to admission (PP = 31.2%, p = 0.001). Of the cardiac diseases, only valvular heart disease (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.01–2.44; p = 0.044) significantly predicted delirium. The patients undergoing cardiac interventions did not have higher rates of delirium (OR, 1.39; 95% CI 0.91–2.12; p = 0.124).

Conclusion: In patients admitted to a cardiology ward, age-related functional and cognitive impairment, history of stroke, and pressure ulcers were the most relevant risk factors for delirium. With regards to specific cardiological factors, only valvular heart disease was associated with risk for delirium. Knowing these factors can help cardiologists to facilitate the early detection and management of delirium.

Machine Learning to Identify Psychomotor Behaviors of Delirium for Patients in Long-Term Care Facility

This study aimed to develop accurate and explainable machine learning models for three psychomotor behaviors of delirium for hospitalized adult patients. A prospective pilot study was conducted with 33 participants admitted to a long-term care facility between August 10 and 25, 2020. During the pilot study, we collected 560 cases that included 33 clinical variables and the survey items from the short confusion assessment method (S-CAM), and developed a mobile-based application. Multiple machine learning algorithms, including four rule-mining algorithms (C4.5, CBA, MCAR, and LEM2) and four other statistical learning algorithms (LR, ANNs, SVMs with three kernel functions, and random forest), were validated by paired Wilcoxon signed-rank tests on both macro-averaged F1 and weighted average F1-measures during the 10-times stratified 2-fold cross-validation. The LEM2 algorithm achieved the best prediction performance (macro-averaged F1-measure of 49.35%; weighted average F1-measure of 96.55%), correctly identifying adult patients at delirium risk. In the pairwise comparison between predictive powers observed from independent models, the LEM2 model showed a medium or large effect size between 0.4925 and 0.8766 when compared with LR, ANN, SVM with RBF, and MCAR models. We have confirmed that acute consciousness in S-CAM assessment is closely associated with different predictors for screening three psychomotor behaviors of delirium: 1) education level, dementia type or its level, sleep disorder, dehydration, and infection in mixed-type delirium; 2) gender, education level, dementia type, dehydration, bedsores, and foley catheter in hyperactive delirium; and 3) pain, sleep disorder, and haloperidol use in hypoactive delirium.

Research Needs for Inpatient Management of Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome: An Official American Thoracic Society Research Statement

Background: Severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome (SAWS) is highly morbid, costly, and common among hospitalized patients, yet minimal evidence exists to guide inpatient management. Research needs in this field are broad, spanning the translational science spectrum. Goals: This research statement aims to describe what is known about SAWS, identify knowledge gaps, and offer recommendations for research in each domain of the Institute of Medicine T0-T4 continuum to advance the care of hospitalized patients who experience SAWS. Methods: Clinicians and researchers with unique and complementary expertise in basic, clinical, and implementation research related to unhealthy alcohol consumption and alcohol withdrawal were invited to participate in a workshop at the American Thoracic Society 2019 International Conference. The committee was subdivided into four groups on the basis of interest and expertise: T0-T1 (basic science research with translation to humans), T2 (research translating to patients), T3 (research translating to clinical practice), and T4 (research translating to communities). A medical librarian conducted a pragmatic literature search to facilitate this work, and committee members reviewed and supplemented the resulting evidence, identifying key knowledge gaps. Results: The committee identified several investigative opportunities to advance the care of patients with SAWS in each domain of the translational science spectrum. Major themes included 1) the need to investigate non-γ-aminobutyric acid pathways for alcohol withdrawal syndrome treatment; 2) harnessing retrospective and electronic health record data to identify risk factors and create objective severity scoring systems, particularly for acutely ill patients with SAWS; 3) the need for more robust comparative-effectiveness data to identify optimal SAWS treatment strategies; and 4) recommendations to accelerate implementation of effective treatments into practice. Conclusions: The dearth of evidence supporting management decisions for hospitalized patients with SAWS, many of whom require critical care, represents both a call to action and an opportunity for the American Thoracic Society and larger scientific communities to improve care for a vulnerable patient population. This report highlights basic, clinical, and implementation research that diverse experts agree will have the greatest impact on improving care for hospitalized patients with SAWS.

Delirium is a good predictor for poor outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression

AIM

Delirium is a common presenting symptom among older patients. Patients who presented with delirium may have a higher morbidity and mortality rate due to older age, other comorbidities, and atypical COVID-19 presentation. Currently, the evidence supporting delirium as one of the predictors of poor outcome of COVID-19 is still insufficient. This study aims to explore the potential association between delirium and poor outcomes from COVID-19.

METHODS

We systematically searched the PubMed and Google Scholar databases using specific keywords related to our aims until January 30th, 2021. All articles published on COVID-19 and delirium were retrieved. The quality of the study was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) tool for observational studies and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools for case-series studies. Statistical analysis was done using Review Manager 5.4 software.

RESULTS

Our meta-analysis of 20 studies showed that delirium symptoms on admission was associated with poor outcomes from COVID-19 [OR 2.36 (95% CI 1.80-3.09), p < 0.00001, I² = 76%, random-effect models] and its subgroup which consist of severe COVID-19 [OR 3.89 (95% CI 1.72-8.75), p = 0.001, I² = 91%, random-effect models], and mortality from COVID-19 [OR 1.90 (95% CI 1.55-2.33), p < 0.00001, I² = 36%, random-effect models]. Meta-regression showed that the association was influenced by age (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests delirium as an important marker to identify patients at higher risk for developing poor COVID-19 outcomes. The physicians should add delirium as one of the common presenting symptoms of COVID-19 in older populations.

Delirium risk of histamine-2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors: A study based on the adverse drug event reporting database in Japan

OBJECTIVE

Although histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) have been shown to be more likely to cause delirium than proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), these results were not adjusted for potential confounding factors. Accordingly, we investigated whether H2RAs and PPIs are risk factors for delirium, even when adjusting for other risk factors by analyzing adverse drug event reports compiled in the post-marketing stages of drugs provided by the Japanese regulatory authorities.

METHOD

We analyzed 577,431 reports in the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database from April 2004 to July 2020.

RESULTS

Of all reports analyzed, 2532 described delirium, and 574,899 described other adverse events. Delirium was associated with H2RAs (crude reporting odds ratio, ROR, 4.17; 95% CI, 3.34-5.22) but not PPIs (crude ROR 0.62; 95% CI 0.43-0.90). Even with adjustment for age, sex, history of dementia or depression, and concomitant drugs reported as risk factors for delirium, the use of H2RAs showed a significantly higher adjusted ROR than that of PPIs (H2RAs: adjusted ROR 3.99; 95% CI 3.18-5.01 and PPIs: adjusted ROR 0.58; 95%CI 0.40-0.84).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that, from a cognitive perspective, PPIs may be preferable to H2RAs for patients with or at risk for delirium.

Incidence and predictors of delirium on the intensive care unit in patients with acute kidney injury, insight from a retrospective registry

Acute kidney injury (AKI) and delirium are common complications on the intensive care unit (ICU). Few is known about the association of AKI and delirium, as well as about incidence and predictors of delirium in patients with AKI. In this retrospective study, all patients with AKI, as defined by the KDIGO (kidney disease improving global outcome) guideline, treated for more than 24 h on the ICU in an university hospital in 2019 were included and analyzed. Delirium was defined by a NuDesc (Nursing Delirium screening scale) ≥ 2, which is evaluated three times a day in every patient on our ICU as part of daily routine. A total of 383/919 (41.7%) patients developed an AKI during the ICU stay. Delirium was detected in 230/383 (60.1%) patients with AKI. Independent predictors of delirium were: age, psychiatric disease, alcohol abuse, mechanical ventilation, severe shock, and AKI stage II/III (all p < 0.05). The primary cause of illness had no influence on the onset of delirium. Among patients with AKI, the duration of the ICU stay correlated with higher stages of AKI and the presence of delirium (stage I/no delirium: median 1.9 (interquartile range (25th–75th) 1.3–2.9) days; stage II/III/no delirium: 2.6 (1.6–5.5) days; stage I/delirium: 4.1 (2.5–14.3) days; stage II/III/delirium: 6.8 (3.5–11.9) days; all p < 0.01). Delirium, defined as NuDesc ≥ 2 is frequent in patients with AKI on an ICU and independently predicted by higher stages of AKI.

Reducing Delirium in Hospitalized Adults Through a Structured Sleep Promotion Program

BACKGROUND

Delirium affects approximately 1 in 4 patients during their hospitalization and is associated with numerous complications. Sleep deprivation is a significant risk factor for developing delirium and is a patient dissatisfier.

PROBLEM

An internal assessment revealed that up to 25% of all patients on medical-surgical units had a diagnosis of delirium while in the hospital.

APPROACH

An evidence-based practice project was implemented to reduce the development of delirium through sleep promotion on 2 inpatient units. A dedicated time was selected, and key strategies were identified to promote sleep with minimal interruptions.

OUTCOMES

Delirium decreased by 33% and 45% on the 2 units over 1 year. Overall, patient satisfaction for quietness at night survey responses also increased (P = .0005; CI, 0.05 to 0.67) with ongoing sustainment.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of a dedicated period to sleep was associated with a reduction in delirium and increased patient satisfaction for quietness at night.

Delirium in neurosurgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Delirium is a frequent occurring complication in surgical patients. Nevertheless, a scientific work-up of the clinical relevance of delirium after intracranial surgery is lacking. We conducted a systematic review (CRD42020166656) to evaluate the current diagnostic work-up, incidence, risk factors and health outcomes of delirium in this population. Five databases (Embase, Medline, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central) were searched from inception through March 31st, 2021. Twenty-four studies (5589 patients) were included for qualitative analysis and twenty-one studies for quantitative analysis (5083 patients). Validated delirium screening tools were used in 70% of the studies, consisting of the Confusion Assessment Method (intensive care unit) (45%), Delirium Observation Screening Scale (5%), Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (10%), Neelon and Champagne Confusion Scale (5%) and Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (5%). Incidence of post-operative delirium after intracranial surgery was 19%, ranging from 12 to 26% caused by variation in clinical features and delirium assessment methods. Meta-regression for age and gender did not show a correlation with delirium. We present an overview of risk factors and health outcomes associated with the onset of delirium. Our review highlights the need of future research on delirium in neurosurgery, which should focus on optimizing diagnosis and assessing prognostic significance and management.

ICU Survivorship-The Relationship of Delirium, Sedation, Dementia, and Acquired Weakness

The advent of modern critical care medicine has revolutionized care of the critically ill patient in the last 50 years. The Society of Critical Care Medicine (was formed in recognition of the challenges and need for specialized treatment for these fragile patients. As the specialty has grown, it has achieved impressive scientific advances that have reduced mortality and saved lives. With those advances, however, came growing recognition that the burden of critical illness did not end at the doorstep of the hospital. Delirium, once thought to be a mere by-product of critical illness, was found to be an independent predictor of mortality, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and long-lasting cognitive impairment. Similarly, deep sedation and immobility, so often used to keep patients "comfortable" and to facilitate mechanical ventilation and recovery, worsen mortality and lead to the development of ICU-acquired weakness. The realization that these outcomes are inextricably linked to one another and how we manage our patients has helped us recognize the need for culture change. We, as a specialty, now understand that although celebrating the successes of survival, we now also have a duty to focus on those who survive their diseases. Led by initiatives such as the ICU Liberation Campaign of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, the natural progression of the field is now focused on getting patients back to their homes and lives unencumbered by disability and impairment. Much work remains to be done, but the futures of our most critically ill patients will continue to benefit if we leverage and build on the history of our first 50 years.

Home hospital as a disposition for older adults from the emergency department: Benefits and opportunities

The $1 trillion industry of acute hospital care in the United States is shifting from inside the walls of the hospital to patient homes. To tackle the limitations of current hospital care in the United States, on November 25, 2020, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that the acute hospital care at home waiver would reimburse for "home hospital" services. A "home hospital" is the home-based provision of acute services usually associated with the traditional inpatient hospital setting. Prior work suggests that home hospital care can reduce costs, maintain quality and safety, and improve patient experiences for select acutely ill adults who require hospital-level care. However, most emergency physicians are unfamiliar with the evidence of benefits demonstrated by home hospital services, especially for older adults. Therefore, the lead author solicited narrative inputs on this topic from selected experts in emergency medicine and home hospital services with clinical experience, publications, and funding on home hospital care. Then we sought to identify information most relevant to the practice of emergency medicine. We outline the proven and potential benefits of home hospital services specific to older adults compared to traditional acute care hospitalization with a focus on the emergency department.

A prospective cohort study on predictors of mortality of delirium in an emergency observational unit

BACKGROUND

Delirium is often an underdiagnosed and underestimated neuropsychiatric syndrome, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

AIM

To document the prevalence and clinical profile of delirium and to detect the baseline parameters associated with in-hospital mortality.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study conducted between January 2016 to December 2016 at an adult medical emergency observational unit of an academic hospital in north India.

METHODS

Confusion Assessment Method for the intensive care unit was used for screening and diagnosis of delirium. Subtypes of delirium and severity were defined with the Richmond agitation-sedation scale and Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R-98).

RESULTS

Out of 939 screened patients, 312 (33.2%) had delirium, including 73.7% unrecognized cases. The mean age was 49.1 ± 17.3 years (range 17-90), and only 33.3% of the patients were above 60 years. The prevalence of hypoactive, mixed and hyperactive delirium was 39.1, 33.7 and 27.2%, respectively. Usual predisposing factors were alcohol use disorder (57.4%) and hypertension (51.0%), and infections remain the most common precipitating factors (42.0%). In total, 96.1% of patients received midazolam before delirium onset, and physical restraints were used in 73.4%. Mortality was higher in delirium (19.9% vs. 6.4%). The independent predictors of death in delirium were low diastolic blood pressure (P-value = 0.000), Glasgow coma scale score <15 (P = 0.026), high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (P = 0.007), high DRS-R-98 severity score (P = 0.000) and hyperactive delirium (P = 0.024).

CONCLUSION

Rapid screening with Confusion Assessment Method for the intensive care unit detected a high prevalence of delirium (even in young patients), and it associated with high mortality.

Effects of perioperative interventions for preventing postoperative delirium: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Postoperative delirium (POD) not only increases the medical burden but also adversely affects patient prognosis. Although some cases of delirium can be avoided by early intervention, there is no clear evidence indicating whether any of these measures can effectively prevent POD in specific patient groups.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of the existing preventive measures for managing POD.

METHODS

The PubMed, OVID (Embase and MEDLINE), Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched for articles published before January 2020. The relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data extraction and methodological quality assessment were performed according to a predesigned data extraction form and scoring system, respectively. The interventions were compared on the basis of the primary outcome like incidence of POD, and secondary outcomes like duration of delirium and the length of intensive care unit and hospital stay.

RESULTS

Sixty-three RCTs were included in the study, covering interventions like surgery, anesthesia, analgesics, intraoperative blood glucose control, cholinesterase inhibitors, anticonvulsant drugs, antipsychotic drugs, sleep rhythmic regulation, and multi-modal nursing. The occurrence of POD was low in 4 trials that monitored the depth of anesthesia with bispectral index during the operation (P < .0001). Two studies showed that supplementary analgesia was useful for delirium prevention (P = .002). Seventeen studies showed that perioperative sedation with α2-adrenergic receptor agonists prevented POD (P = .0006). Six studies showed that both typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs can reduce the incidence of POD (P = .002). Multimodal nursing during the perioperative period effectively reduced POD in 6 studies (P < .00001). Furthermore, these preventive measures can reduce the duration of delirium, as well as the total and postoperative length of hospitalized stay for non-cardiac surgery patients. For patients undergoing cardiac surgery, effective prevention can only reduce the length of intensive care unit stay.

CONCLUSION

Measures including intraoperative monitoring of bispectral index, supplemental analgesia, α2-adrenergic receptor agonists, antipsychotic drugs, and multimodal care are helpful to prevent POD effectively. However, larger, high-quality RCTs are needed to verify these findings and develop more interventions and drugs for preventing postoperative delirium.

Describing people with cognitive impairment and their complex treatment needs during routine care in the hospital - cross-sectional results of the intersec-CM study

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairment is an important determinant in health care. In the acute hospital setting cognition has a strong impact on treatment and care. Cognitive impairment can negatively affect diagnostics and treatment success. However, little is known about the individual situation and specific risks of people with cognitive impairments during hospital stays. The aim of the present research is to describe and analyze the treatment needs of people with cognitive impairments in acute hospital care.

METHODS

The analyses use baseline data of the ongoing multisite, longitudinal, randomized controlled intervention trial intersec-CM (Supporting elderly people with cognitive impairment during and after hospital stays with Intersectoral Care Management), which recruited 402 participants at baseline. We assessed sociodemographic aspects, cognitive status, functional status, frailty, comorbidities, level of impairment, formal diagnosis of dementia, geriatric diagnoses, delirium, depression, pharmacological treatment, utilization of health care services and health care related needs.

RESULTS

The sample under examination had been on average mildly cognitively impaired (MMSE M = 22.3) and had a mild to moderate functional impairment (Barthel Index M = 50.4; HABAM M = 19.1). The Edmonton Frail Scale showed a mean of 7.4 and half of the patients (52.3%) had been assigned a care level. About 46.9% had a geriatric diagnosis, 3.0% had a diagnosis of dementia. According to DSM-V 19.2% of the patients had at least one main symptom of depression. The mean number of regularly taken drugs per patient was 8.2. Utilization of health care services prior to the hospital stay was rather low. On average, the sample showed 4.38 care related needs in general, of which 0.60 needs were unaddressed at the time of assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

Descriptive analyses highlight an in-depth insight into impairments and different care needs of people with cognitive impairments. The results emphasize the need for gender-specific analyses as well as an increased attention to the heterogeneity of needs of people with cognitive impairments related to specific wards, settings and regions where they are admitted. Our results indicate also that people with cognitive impairments represent a high proportion of older patients in acute hospital care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The intersec-CM trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT03359408 ).

A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of intravenous thiamine for prevention of delirium following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

OBJECTIVE

To determine if high dose intravenous (IV) thiamine can prevent delirium during hospitalization following allogeneic HSCT. Secondarily, we evaluated the effects of high dose IV thiamine on thiamine levels and explored risk factors for delirium.

METHODS

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT at a U.S. academic medical center between October 2017 and March 2020. 64 participants were randomized 1:1 to thiamine 200 mg IV three times daily for 7 days or placebo. We used the Delirium Rating Scale to assess for delirium. Delirium incidence was compared between groups using the chi-square test. Group differences in time to onset and duration of delirium were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method. Fisher's Exact and Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests were used to examine associations between pre-transplantation variables and delirium.

RESULTS

61 participants were analyzed. Delirium incidence (25% vs. 21%, Chi-square (df = 1) = 0.12, p = 0.73), time to onset, duration, and severity were not different between study arms. Immediately following the intervention, thiamine levels were higher in the thiamine arm (275 vs. 73 nmol/L, t-test (df = 57) = 13.63, p < 0.0001), but not predictive of delirium. Variables associated with delirium in our sample included disease severity, corticosteroid exposure, infection, and pre-transplantation markers of nutrition.

CONCLUSION

High dose IV thiamine did not prevent delirium in patients receiving allogeneic HSCT. Given the multiple contributors to delirium in this population, further research regarding the efficacy of multicomponent interventions may be needed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trials NCT03263442.

FUNDING

Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research.

Risk Factors for Delirium in Older Adults in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify risk factors for delirium in geriatric patients in the emergency department and to identify emergency department (ED)-based modifiable risk factors for developing delirium during hospitalization. We searched evidence based medicine reviews, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science for observational studies from the time of their inception to July 2020. We included studies that evaluated potential risk factors for either prevalent or incident delirium among older adults (age ≥ 60 years) presenting to the ED. When appropriate, we meta-analyzed estimates for risk factors using a random-effects model. The certainty of evidence was evaluated using the grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation approach. The study's protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CDR42020175261). A total of 4,513 citations were reviewed, and 34 studies met the criteria for inclusion: 27 evaluating risk factors for ED delirium (13,412 patients) and 7 evaluating ED-based risk factors for developing delirium during hospitalization (2,238 patients). The prevalence of ED delirium ranged from 7% to 35%. Four factors had strong associations with ED delirium and were graded as high-certainty evidence, including nursing home residence (4 studies; odds ratio [OR], 3.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.17 to 5.48), cognitive impairment (7 studies; OR, 4.46; 95% CI, 3.38 to 5.89), hearing impairment (3 studies, OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.03 to 6.41), and a history of stroke (3 studies; OR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.17 to 8.75). The rate of developing delirium during hospitalization ranged from 11% to 27%. A length of stay of more than 10 hours in ED was associated with a higher risk of delirium (1 study; OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.13 to 4.41). One study reported that severe pain, rather than the use of opioids, was associated with the development of delirium. These findings can be used to prioritize delirium screening in the ED and develop novel ED delirium risk scores or prevention interventions.

Iatrogenic Delirium in Patients on Symptom-Triggered Alcohol Withdrawal Protocol: A Case Series

In this report, we present a case series involving four patients placed on the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol, Revised (CIWA-Ar) protocol for alcohol or sedative-hypnotic withdrawal syndromes, who developed delirium on sustained or increasing symptom-triggered benzodiazepine dosages. In each of the four cases, delirium was not present on admission and resolved in the hospital itself with fixed benzodiazepine tapers. Cases were selected from an electronic medical record database of patients admitted to a United States-based university hospital and placed on CIWA-Ar between 2017 and 2018. This case series illustrates the major limitations of CIWA-Ar including its subjective nature, its susceptibility to inappropriate patient selection, and its requirement for providers to consider alternative etiologies to alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal syndromes. These cases demonstrate the necessity of considering other assessment and treatment options such as objective alcohol withdrawal scales, fixed benzodiazepine tapers, and even antiepileptics. An effective systems-based approach to overcoming these challenges may include setting time limits on CIWA-Ar orders within the electronic health record (EHR) system.