Validation of the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist in nonintubated intensive care unit patients in a resource-poor medical intensive care setting in South India

Delirium care in hospitals in Ireland on World Delirium Awareness Day 2023

BACKGROUND

Acute, transient, but sometimes persistent, delirium is characterized by a sharp disruption in attention, consciousness, and cognitive function, and can be caused by many medications and disorders. Delirium occurrence and negative consequences, such as falls and functional decline, can be decreased with multifactorial prevention and timely detection.

AIMS

To describe current clinical practice in relation to the prevention, assessment, and management of delirium in Irish hospitals; awareness-raising and educational activities; and barriers to good practice.

METHODS

On World Delirium Awareness Day (15th March 2023), a global survey was conducted of delirium prevalence and care. A senior clinical staff member on each participating ward reported on delirium prevalence at 8AM and 8PM, and on usual ward practice; this data was entered into an online survey by a data collector (typically a clinician from the site, visiting several wards to record data). This study reports data from Irish hospitals.

RESULTS

In total, 132 wards from 15 hospitals across Ireland participated. Almost 60% of wards used 'personal judgment' for delirium assessment. Having at least one delirium training session in the preceding year was associated with greater use of a formal assessment tool (60.3% versus 18.8%; p < 0.001). Wards reported staff training/education as the main priority to improve care, but 72.7% of wards identified insufficient time to train staff as a key barrier.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical practice related to delirium care requires improvement. Awareness raising and staff training require more focus and time in busy clinical settings.

Determinants of delirium in elderly in-patients in a general ward setting in a teaching hospital: A case control study

Background

There is a dearth of research on risk factors of delirium among elderly inpatients in nonintensive low resource settings.

Aim

To determine the risk factors of delirium in elderly inpatients in a nonintensive care unit setting.

Materials and Methods

Sixty two elderly patients with delirium (cases) and 62 patients without delirium (controls) were administered a semi-structured proforma with socio-demographic variables and putative predisposing and precipitating risk factors and the Vellore screening instrument for dementia.

Results

On univariate analysis, factors such as past cognitive impairment, history of nocturnal confusion and delirium, diminished daily living activities, severe medical illness, history of psychiatric illness, presence of dementia, infection, fever above 1000F, abnormal electrolytes abnormal RFT, leukocytes in urine, hypoxia, anticholinergics and benzodiazepines, emergency admission, use of physical restraints, bladder catheterization, more than routine investigations, intensive care unit admission, surgery, and duration of hospital stay more than 10 days were found to be significantly associated with delirium. On multivariate analysis with binary logistic regression, bladder catheterization (odds ratio [OR] = 13.85; confidence interval [CI] = 1.44-133.14), abnormal electrolytes (OR = 5.12; CI = 1.11-23.69), and hypoxia (OR = 75.52; CI = 4.64-1.134E3) were detected to be independently associated with delirium.

Conclusion

Acute modifiable rather than long-term factors were risk factors for delirium among the elderly. An awareness of modifiable risk factors has the potential of developing targeted interventions for the early mitigation of delirium.

Effect of postoperative delirium after cardiovascular surgery on 5-year mortality

INTRODUCTION

Postoperative delirium is a common complication after cardiovascular surgery. A meta-analysis revealed that postoperative delirium was associated with cognitive decline and dementia, which may affect long-term mortality. However, few studies have reported the association between postoperative delirium after cardiovascular surgery and long-term postoperative mortality. Therefore, we investigated the effect of postoperative delirium on 5-year survival rates of patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass from January 2016 to December 2019. Postoperative delirium was defined as an Intensive Care Delirium Screening score ≥ 3, which might include subclinical delirium. Cox proportional hazards modeling was performed to assess the association between postoperative delirium and mortality. Postoperative mortality in patients with and without delirium was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Postoperative delirium was observed in 562 (31.9%) of 1731 patients. There were more elderly patients, more emergent surgery procedures, longer operative time, and larger transfusion volume in the postoperative delirium group. Cox regression analyses showed that delirium (hazard ratio (HR), 1.501; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.053-2.140; p = 0.025) and emergent surgery (HR, 3.380; 95% CI, 2.231-5.122; p < 0.001) are significantly associated with 5-year mortality. Among patients who underwent elective surgery, postoperative delirium (HR, 1.987; 95% CI, 1.135-3.481; p = 0.016) is significantly associated with 5-year mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that patients with postoperative delirium had significantly higher 5-year mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with postoperative delirium after cardiovascular surgery have significantly higher 5-year mortality.

Incidence, Associated Factors, and Outcome of Delirium among Patients Admitted to ICUs in Oman

Background

The incidence of delirium is high up to 46.3% among patients admitted to ICU. Delirium is linked to negative patient outcomes like increased duration of mechanical ventilation use, prolonged ICU stay, increased mortality rate, and healthcare costs. Despite the importance of delirium and its consequences that are significant, there is a scarcity of studies which explored delirium in Oman.

Objectives

This study was conducted to assess the incidence of delirium, the association between the selected predisposing factors and precipitating factors with delirium, determine the predicators of delirium, and evaluate its impacts on ICU mortality and ICU length of stay among ICU patients in Oman.

Methods

A multicenter prospective observational design was used. A total of 153 patients were assessed two-times a day by bedside ICU nurses through the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC).

Results

The results revealed that the delirium incidence was 26.1%. Regression analysis showed that sepsis, metabolic acidosis, nasogastric tube use, and APACHE II score were independent predictors for delirium among ICU patients in Oman and delirium had significant impacts on ICU length of stay and mortality rate.

Conclusion

Delirium is common among ICU patients and it is associated with negative consequences. Multidisciplinary prevention strategies should be implemented to identify and treat the modifiable risk factors.

Delirium and depression in cardiac surgery: A comprehensive review of risk factors, pathophysiology, and management

BACKGROUND

Mental health and wellbeing continue to gain more attention as they are inextricably associated with clinical outcomes, particularly quality of life. Many medical ailments and major surgeries affect patients' mental health, including depression and delirium.

AIMS

The objective of this manuscript was to comprehensively review and critically examine the literature pertaining to cardiac surgery, depression, and delirium.

METHODS

This is a narrative review article. We performed our search analysis by using the following key words: "Cardiac Surgery", "Depression", "Delirium", "Clinical outcomes", and "Mental Health". Search analysis was done on MedLine PubMed, accessing indexed peer-reviewed publications.

RESULTS

Cardiac Surgery is a life-altering intervention indicated to improve morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Psychiatric conditions before and after cardiac surgery worsen patient prognosis and increase mortality rate. Specifically, preoperative depression increases postoperative depression and is associated with impaired functional status, slow physical recovery, and an increased readmission rate.

DISCUSSION

Although the exact pathophysiology between depression and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is unknown, several pathways have been implicated. Unmanaged depression can also lead to other psychological conditions such as delirium. Like depression, the exact association between delirium and CVD is not well understood, but believed to be multifactorial.

CONCLUSION

Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the links between depression, delirium, and cardiovascular surgery. We critically examine the current data that pertains to the pathophysiology of these debilitating mental health issues in the context of cardiac surgery. Finally, we summarize the various treatment options available for managing depression and delirium in the cardiac surgery patient population.

Delirium Research in India: A Systematic Review

Delirium is the most common psychiatric diagnoses encountered in patients with various medical-surgical illnesses, in all the treatment set-ups, with relatively higher incidence and prevalence in the intensive care units. As delirium is encountered in multiple specialties, it is important to understand the research on this diagnosis. This study aims to assess the research output involving patients of delirium from India. A comprehensive search was undertaken using Medline (PubMed) and other databases. Search words included were “delirium,” “delirious,” “delirium tremens” AND “India.” No filters were used. Internet and hand searches yielded 305 articles. Out of these articles, 151 had the terms “delirium,” “delirious,” “delirium tremens” in the title and these were included for the review. Additionally, 14 articles were included for the review, although these did not have these terms in the title, but delirium was one of the major outcome parameters in these studies. Majority of the papers were original articles ( n = 81), and these were followed by, case reports ( n = 58), review articles ( n = 10), letter to the editor (not as case reports but as a communication; n = 13), editorials ( n = 2) and one clinical practice guideline. Most of the original papers have either focused on epidemiology (incidence, prevalence, outcome, etc.), symptom profile, with occasional studies focusing on effectiveness of various pharmacological interventions. There is a dearth of research in the field of delirium from India. There is a lack of studies on biomarkers, evaluation of nonpharmacological interventions, and evaluation of prevention strategies. It is the need of the hour to carry out more studies to further our understanding of delirium in the Indian context.

Psychometric Properties of Nursing Delirium Screening Scale in Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units

Background

Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC) is a new instrument for determining delirium by nurses. The study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of Nu-DESC and determined the sensitivity and specificity of it.

Methods

Two evaluators assessed delirium by Nu-DESC in nonintubated patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) wards of Ardabil educational and medical centers. For determining psychometric properties of the instrument, the methods of determining content validity, structural validity, criterion validity (the DSM-5 criteria was used as a standard tool), internal consistency, and inter-rater reliability were used.

Results

Ninety-six participants were assessed two times using the Nu-DESC. The mean age of the participants was 58.84, and 51 (53.1%) of them were male. Due to the high correlation of the Nu-DESC with the study criterion (DSM-5), the criterion validity of the instrument is confirmed. By using DSM-5 instrument, the cutoff score of 2 shows the best sensitivity and specificity. The kappa and alpha coefficients were obtained as r = 0.96 and α = 0.86, which indicate a good agreement between the evaluators and acceptable consistency.

Conclusion

Nu-DESC can be used as an efficient and reliable instrument by nurses in the ICU. It was also found that taking medical history can help nurses to better interpret the Nu-DESC score at diagnosing delirium.

How to cite this article

Amirajam Z, Noran EA, Molaei B, Adiban V, Heidarzadeh M, Darghah MH. Psychometric Properties of Nursing Delirium Screening Scale in Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(6):680–684.

Delirium in elderly patients: Prospective prevalence across hospital services

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the 1-year prevalence of delirium and the impact of hospitalization characteristics on delirium across 34 services.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study of elderly in-patients (>65 years, N = 10,261), delirium was determined with the Delirium Observation Screening Scale (DOS) and the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) in a single sample over one year. We calculated univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses to understand the power of association between delirium, 34 services, sociodemographic, and admission/discharge factors.

RESULTS

The prevalence of delirium across all included services was 32%. The odds of developing delirium was highest for intensive care units (ICU, 83.3%, OR 12.34), high for intermediate care units (IMC, 39.8%, OR 1.42) and medical services (34.2%, OR 1.19), and lower for surgical services (28.7%, OR 0.72). Compared with patients without delirium, patients with delirium were older (76.6 vs. 75 years), hospitalized twice as long (14.3 vs. 7.7 days), more commonly had pre-existent dementia (OR 11.98), and were more likely to die in-hospital (OR 24.20) and be admitted from (OR 2.75-2.97) and discharged to institutions (OR 1.66-3.97).

CONCLUSION

This study elaborated on the 1-year prevalence of delirium across 34 services and confirmed previous pooled findings in addition to providing new insights regarding the course of hospitalization in elderly patients.

Diagnostic accuracy of the CAM-ICU and ICDSC in detecting intensive care unit delirium: A bivariate meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Delirium is a critical and highly prevalent problem among critically ill patients. The Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) and the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) are the most recommended assessment tools for detecting intensive care unit (ICU) delirium.

OBJECTIVES

To synthesize the current evidence and compared the diagnostic accuracy of the two tools in the detection of delirium in adults in ICUs.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCE

A comprehensive search of the following electronic databases was performed using PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses A&I. The date range searched was from database inception to April 26, 2019.

REVIEW METHODS

Two researchers independently identified articles, systematically abstracted data and evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the CAM-ICU or the ICDSC against standard references. Bivariate diagnostic statistical analysis with a random-effects model was performed to summarize the pooled sensitivity and specificity of the two tools.

RESULTS

In total, 29 CAM-ICU and 12 ICDSC studies were identified. The pooled sensitivity was 0.84 and 0.83 and pooled specificity was 0.95 and 0.87 for the CAM-ICU and the ICDSC, respectively. The CAM-ICU had higher summary specificity than the ICDSC did (p = 0.04). The percentage of hypoactive delirium, ICU type, use of mechanical ventilation, number of participants, and female percentage moderated the accuracy of the tools. Most of the domains of patient selection, index test, reference standards, and flow and timing were rated as having a low or unclear risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Although both the CAM-ICU and the ICDSC are accurate assessment tools for screening delirium in critically ill patients, the CAM-ICU is superior in ruling out patients without ICU delirium and detecting delirium in patients in the medical ICU and those receiving mechanical ventilation. Further investigations are warranted to validate our findings. The study protocol is registered at PROSPERO (CRD42020133544).

Influence of Sedation Level and Ventilation Status on the Diagnostic Validity of Delirium Screening Tools in the ICU-An International, Prospective, Bi-Center Observational Study (IDeAS)

Background and objectives: The use of delirium screening instruments (DSIs) is recommended in critical care practice for a timely detection of delirium. We hypothesize that the patient-related factors “level of sedation” and “mechanical ventilation” impact test validity of DSIs. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective, bi-center observational study (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01720914). Critically ill patients were screened for delirium daily for up to seven days after enrollment using the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC), Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC), and Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU). Reference standard for delirium diagnosis was the neuropsychiatric examination using the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR). Immediately before delirium assessment, ventilation status and sedation levels were documented. Results: 160 patients were enrolled and 151 patients went into final analysis. Delirium incidence was 23.2%. Nu-DESC showed a sensitivity and specificity of 88.5%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 71.9%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 95.8%. ICDSC had a sensitivity of 62.5%, a specificity of 92.4%, a PPV of 71.4%, and a NPV of 89.0%. CAM-ICU showed a sensitivity of 75.0%, a specificity of 94.7%, a PPV of 85.7%, and a NPV of 90.0%. For Nu-DESC and ICDSC, test validity was significantly better for non-sedated patients (Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) 0/−1), whereas test validity for CAM-ICU in a severity scale version showed no significant differences for different sedation levels. No DSI showed a significant difference in test validity between noninvasively and invasively ventilated patients. Conclusions: Test validities of DSIs were comparable to previous studies. The observational scores ICDSC and Nu-DESC showed a significantly better performance in awake and drowsy patients (RASS 0/−1) when compared with other sedation levels. Physicians should refrain from sedation whenever possible to avoid suboptimal performance of DSIs.

Psychometric properties of the intensive care delirium screening checklist when used by bedside nurses in clinical practice: a prospective descriptive study

Background

The Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) demonstrates good psychometric characteristics in research settings. However, evidence about these characteristics in pragmatic ICU settings is inconsistent. This study evaluated psychometric properties and user-friendliness of the ICDSC when administered by ICU nurses in daily practice.

Methods

This prospective study included 77 patients from a surgical intensive care unit. To examine the psychometric characteristics, the scores on the ICDSC (performed by bedside nurses) were compared with the scores on the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) (performed by researchers as gold standard). The user-friendliness was evaluated by 34 ICU nurses with a 20-item questionnaire.

Results

The ICDSC had an area under the curve of 0.843. It showed a good diagnostic accuracy with a sensitivity of 81.0%, a specificity of 87.7%, and a 53.1% positive and 96.4% negative predictive value. The overall Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for all ICDSC scores was high (0.839). Overall, ICU nurses experienced the ICDSC as easy-to-use. The scale was usable in most surgical ICU patients. Yet, some nurses (11.8%) had problems to score the items ‘inappropriate speech’ and ‘symptom fluctuation’ in intubated patients.

Conclusions

The ICDSC is a valid and user-friendly tool for delirium screening in daily ICU nursing practice. Yet, some problems were reported in intubated patients. Therefore, validation studies with specific focus on intubated patients are needed.

Arabic intensive care delirium screening checklist's validity and reliability: A multicenter study

PURPOSE

To develop an Arabic version of Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) and assess its validity and reliability among critically ill patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Multicentered study of convenience sample of adult ICU patients. Arabic translation was performed with rigorous back-to-back translation methods. Concurrent validity was established by calculating the sensitivity and specificity of two examiner assessments compared to a psychiatric evaluation. Kappa coefficients describe interrater reliability, whereas Cronbach α and composite reliability depict internal consistency.

RESULTS

Three hundred critically ill patients were enrolled. Of these, validity testing was assessed in 180 patients. ICDSC screening was positive for delirium in 11% of enrolled patients. The area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve is 0.9413, with predicted sensitivity 70% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 60-81%) and specificity 99% (95% CI: 98-100%). The Arabic ICDSC showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.63 and composite reliability = 0.64). Interrater agreement was excellent (Kappa coefficient [ҡ] = 0.85).

CONCLUSIONS

Arabic ICDSC is a valid and reliable delirium-screening tool among Arabic-speaking ICU population. Future studies could address whether these findings are generalizable to a higher proportion of mechanically ventilated patients, and address acceptability and reliability in other Arabic language critical care settings.

Delirium in the critically ill patient

Delirium is an acute and transient brain dysfunction that is characterized by disturbances in consciousness, affecting both its content (i.e., attention) and level (i.e., arousal). It affects as many as 50% of those admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Once believed to be an inconsequential outcome of critical illness, it is now recognized that delirium is harmful in both the short- and long-term. Despite occurring frequently in critically ill patients, delirium often goes unrecognized. Well-validated delirium screening tools, designed for use in the ICU, should be used to reliably detect delirium. The first step in delirium treatment is to identify and address potentially modifiable risk factors. Multiple trials have shown that benzodiazepines are a risk factor for delirium in a dose-dependent manner. Sedation with nonbenzodiazepine-based strategies are an effective means by which to reduce delirium. Nonpharmacologic strategies such as those which seek to reduce sensory impairment, sleep deprivation, and immobility are effective. Pharmacologic treatment with antipsychotics, though commonly used, is not supported by findings from placebo-controlled trials. Recent data support from multiple trials support the use of the "ABCDEF bundle" as a means by which to reduce delirium.

Delirium in medical intensive care units: Incidence, subtypes, risk factors, and outcome

BACKGROUND

Delirium is a frequent yet underdiagnosed neuropsychiatric condition encountered in intensive care units (ICUs). Being both a preventable and potentially reversible process associated with significant morbidity and mortality, understanding risk factors that predispose and precipitate delirium in any given patient are critical in ICUs.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence, motor subtypes, risk factors, and clinical outcome of delirium in the medical ICU.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used a prospective study design on a cohort of consecutive medical ICU admissions of a tertiary care teaching hospital. The Confusion Assessment Method-ICU and Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale were used to diagnose and motor subtype delirium, respectively, along with a checklist to assess risk factors.

RESULTS

Of the 280 ICU admissions, 88 (31.4%) developed delirium. Hypoactive delirium was the most common motor subtype (55.7%). The detection rate of delirium was 12.5% (lowest for hypoactive delirium at 2.04%). Age, gender, and years of education did not significantly predict delirium (all P > 0.05). Tobacco use, chronic liver disease, and past episodes of delirium significantly predisposed, while mechanical ventilation, hypoxia, fever, raised levels of bilirubin and creatinine, and benzodiazepine administration significantly precipitated ICU delirium. Delirium was significantly associated with longer ICU stay (t = 4.23, P = 0.000) and 1-month postdischarge mortality (χ ² = 6.867, P = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

Detection of delirium is challenging, especially in ICU patients on mechanical ventilation and hypoactive delirium. Screening and monitoring for predisposing and precipitating risk factors can greatly improve the odds of detection and intervention as ICU delirium is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

Delirium Assessment Tools for Use in Critically Ill Adults: A Psychometric Analysis and Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Delirium is highly prevalent in critically ill patients. Its detection with valid tools is crucial.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the development and psychometric properties of delirium assessment tools for critically ill adults.

METHODS

Databases were searched to identify relevant studies. Inclusion criteria were English language, publication before January 2015, 30 or more patients, and patient population of critically ill adults (>18 years old). Search terms were delirium, scales, critically ill patients, adult, validity, and reliability. Thirty-six manuscripts were identified, encompassing 5 delirium assessment tools (Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU), Cognitive Test for Delirium, Delirium Detection Score, Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC), and Nursing Delirium Screening Scale). Two independent reviewers analyzed the psychometric properties of these tools by using a standardized scoring system (range, 0-20) to assess the tool development process, reliability, validity, feasibility, and implementation of each tool.

RESULTS

Psychometric properties were very good for the CAM-ICU (19.6) and the ICDSC (19.2), moderate for the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (13.6), low for the Delirium Detection Score (11.2), and very low for the Cognitive Test for Delirium (8.2).

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that the CAM-ICU and the ICDSC are the most valid and reliable delirium assessment tools for critically ill adults. Additional studies are needed to further validate these tools in critically ill patients with neurological disorders and those at various levels of sedation or consciousness.

Delirium in the intensive care setting: A reevaluation of the validity of the CAM-ICU and ICDSC versus the DSM-IV-TR in determining a diagnosis of delirium as part of the daily clinical routine

BACKGROUND

In the intensive care setting, delirium is a common occurrence that comes with subsequent adversities. Therefore, several instruments have been developed to screen for and detect delirium. Their validity and psychometric properties, however, remain controversial.

METHOD

In this prospective cohort study, the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) and the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) were evaluated versus the DSM-IV-TR in the diagnosis of delirium with respect to their validity and psychometric properties.

RESULTS

Out of some 289 patients, 210 with matching CAM-ICU, ICDSC, and DSM-IV-TR diagnoses were included. Between the scales, the prevalence of delirium ranged from 23.3% with the CAM-ICU, to 30.5% with the ICDSC, to 43.8% with the DSM-IV-TR criteria. The CAM-ICU showed only moderate concurrent validity (Cohen's κ = 0.44) and sensitivity (50%), but high specificity (95%). The ICDSC also reached moderate agreement (Cohen's κ = 0.60) and sensitivity (63%) while being very specific (95%). Between the CAM-ICU and the ICDSC, the concurrent validity was again only moderate (Cohen's κ = 0.56); however, the ICDSC yielded higher sensitivity and specificity (78 and 83%, respectively).

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS

In the daily clinical routine, neither the CAM-ICU nor the ICDSC, common tools used in screening and detecting delirium in the intensive care setting, reached sufficient concurrent validity; nor did they outperform the DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria with respect to sensitivity or positive prediction, but they were very specific. Thus, the non-prediction by the CAM-ICU or ICDSC did not refute the presence of delirium. Between the CAM-ICU and ICDSC, the ICDSC proved to be the more accurate instrument.

[Development of Korean Intensive Care Delirium Screening Tool (KICDST)]

PURPOSE

This study was done to develop of the Korean intensive care delirium screening tool (KICDST).

METHODS

The KICDST was developed in 5 steps: Configuration of conceptual frame, development of preliminary tool, pilot study, reliability and validity test, development of final KICDST. Reliability tests were done using degree of agreement between evaluators and internal consistency. For validity tests, CVI (Content Validity Index), ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristics) analysis, known group technique and factor analysis were used.

RESULTS

In the reliability test, the degree of agreement between evaluators showed .80~1.00 and the internal consistency was KR-20=.84. The CVI was .83~1.00. In ROC analysis, the AUC (Area Under the ROC Curve) was .98. Assessment score was 4 points. The values for sensitivity, specificity, correct classification rate, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were found to be 95.0%, 93.7%, 94.4%, 95.0% and 93.7%, respectively. In the known group technique, the average delirium screening tool score of the non-delirium group was 1.25±0.99 while that of delirium group was 5.07±1.89 (t=-16.33, p<.001). The factors were classified into 3 factors (cognitive change, symptom fluctuation, psychomotor retardation), which explained 67.4% of total variance.

CONCLUSION

Findings show that the KICDST has high sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, this screening tool is recommended for early identification of delirium in intensive care patients.

Phenomenology of delirium among patients admitted to a coronary care unit

AIM

To study the phenomenology and motor sub-types of delirium in patients admitted in a Coronary Care Unit (CCU).

METHODS

Three hundred and nine consecutive patients were screened for delirium, and those found positive for the same were evaluated by a psychiatrist on DSM-IVTR criteria to confirm the diagnosis. Those with a diagnosis of delirium were evaluated on the DRS-R-98 to study the phenomenology and on the amended Delirium Motor Symptom Scale (DMSS) to study the motor sub-types.

RESULTS

Eighty-one patients were found to have delirium. Commonly seen symptoms of delirium included: disturbances in sleep-wake cycle, lability of affect, thought abnormality, disturbance in attention, disorientation, short-term memory, and long-term memory. Very few patients had delusions. More than half of the participants were categorized as having hyperactive (n = 46; 56.8%) followed by hypoactive sub-type (n = 21; 26%) and mixed sub-type (n = 9; 11.1%) of delirium. There were minor differences in the frequency and severity of symptoms of delirium between incidence and prevalence cases of delirium and those with different motoric sub-types.

CONCLUSION

Delirium in CCU set-up is characterized by the symptoms of disturbances in sleep-wake cycle, lability of affect, thought abnormality, disturbance in attention, disorientation, short-term memory, and long-term memory. Hyperactive delirium is more common than hypoactive delirium.

Current approach to diagnosis and treatment of delirium after cardiac surgery

Delirium after cardiac surgery remains a common occurrence that results in significant short- and long-term morbidity and mortality. It continues to be underdiagnosed given its complex presentation and multifactorial etiology; however, its prevalence is increasing given the aging cardiac surgical population. This review highlights the perioperative risk factors, tools to assist in diagnosing delirium, and current pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapy options.

Symptom profile of alcohol withdrawal delirium: factor analysis of Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 version

BACKGROUND

The symptom profile of alcohol withdrawal delirium (AWD), relative to deliriums of other etiology, remains uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the factor structure of symptoms in patients with AWD, as assessed by the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R-98).

METHOD

A total of 112 patients aged 18 years or more with AWD were assessed on DRS-R-98.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 44.2 years. About two-third of the patients developed delirium within 24 hours of the last intake of alcohol and the mean duration of delirium at the time of assessment was 3.9 days. In 46% of cases the delirium was attributed solely to alcohol withdrawal; in the remaining subjects alcohol withdrawal was a major contributory factor. Three separate principal component analysis (whole sample, pure AWD and AWD with associated etiologies) were carried out. In all the factor analyses, one of the factors included cognitive symptoms (attention, orientation and visuospatial disturbances) along with or without short- and long-term memory impairment; the second factor included motoric symptoms along with sleep-wake cycle disturbances; the third factor included psychotic symptoms. For the whole group and subgroup of AWD with associated etiologies, items of higher level thinking (i.e. language disturbances and thought process abnormality) loaded along with cognitive symptoms. In pure AWD group, these items along with memory disturbances loaded with psychotic symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of the current factor analyses suggest that the factor structure of pure AWD is different from AWD with associated etiologies. Hence, attention to the symptom profile of patients with AWD may provide clues to delirium etiology.

Delirium in Prolonged Hospitalized Patients in the Intensive Care Unit

Background:

Prolonged hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU) can impose long-term psychological effects on patients. One of the most significant psychological effects from prolonged hospitalization is delirium.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of prolonged hospitalization of patients and subsequent delirium in the intensive care unit.

Patients and Methods:

This conventional content analysis study was conducted in the General Intensive Care Unit of the Shariati Hospital of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, from the beginning of 2013 to 2014. All prolonged hospitalized patients and their families were eligible participants. From the 34 eligible patients and 63 family members, the final numbers of actual patients and family members were 9 and 16, respectively. Several semi-structured interviews were conducted face-to-face with patients and their families in a private room and data were gathered.

Results:

Two main themes from two different perspectives emerged, 'patients' perspectives' (experiences during ICU hospitalization) and 'family members' perspectives' (supportive-communicational experiences). The main results of this study focused on delirium, Patients' findings were described as pleasant and unpleasant, factual and delusional experiences.

Conclusions:

Family members are valuable components in the therapeutic process of delirium. Effective use of family members in the delirium caring process can be considered to be one of the key non-medical nursing components in the therapeutic process.

Delirium rating scales in critically ill patients: a systematic literature review

OBJECTIVE

To identify scales that can establish a quantitative assessment of delirium symptoms in critically ill patients through a systematic review.

METHODS

Studies that evaluated delirium stratification scales in patients hospitalized in intensive care units were selected in a search performed in the MedLine database. Validation studies of these scales and their target patient populations were analyzed, and we identified the examiner and the signs and symptoms evaluated. In addition, the duration of the application and the sensitivity and specificity of each scale were assessed.

RESULTS

Six scales were identified: the Delirium Detection Score, the Cognitive Test of Delirium, the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale, the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist, The Neelon and Champagne Confusion Scale and the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98.

CONCLUSION

The scales identified allow the stratification and monitoring of critically ill patients with delirium. Among the six scales, the most studied and best suited for use in the intensive care units was the Intensive Care Delirium Screening.

Delirium diagnosis methodology used in research: a survey-based study

OBJECTIVE

To describe methodology used to diagnose delirium in research studies evaluating delirium detection tools.

METHODS

The authors used a survey to address reference rater methodology for delirium diagnosis, including rater characteristics, sources of patient information, and diagnostic process, completed via web or telephone interview according to respondent preference. Participants were authors of 39 studies included in three recent systematic reviews of delirium detection instruments in hospitalized patients.

RESULTS

Authors from 85% (N = 33) of the 39 eligible studies responded to the survey. The median number of raters per study was 2.5 (interquartile range: 2-3); 79% were physicians. The raters' median duration of clinical experience with delirium diagnosis was 7 years (interquartile range: 4-10), with 5% having no prior clinical experience. Inter-rater reliability was evaluated in 70% of studies. Cognitive tests and delirium detection tools were used in the delirium reference rating process in 61% (N = 21) and 45% (N = 15) of studies, respectively, with 33% (N = 11) using both and 27% (N = 9) using neither. When patients were too drowsy or declined to participate in delirium evaluation, 70% of studies (N = 23) used all available information for delirium diagnosis, whereas 15% excluded such patients.

CONCLUSION

Significant variability exists in reference standard methods for delirium diagnosis in published research. Increasing standardization by documenting inter-rater reliability, using standardized cognitive and delirium detection tools, incorporating diagnostic expert consensus panels, and using all available information in patients declining or unable to participate with formal testing may help advance delirium research by increasing consistency of case detection and improving generalizability of research results.

Evaluating the incidence of cognitive disorder following off-pump coronary artery bypasses surgery and its predisposing factors

Background:

Cognitive disorder is a fluctuating cognitive destruction and a common problem for hospitalized patients, which leads to loss of consciousness. It is usually accompanied with increased mortality, prolonged hospital stay, and decreased rehabilitation.

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to determine risk factors associated with cognitive disorder after open-heart surgery.

Patients and Methods:

In total, 171 patients who had undergone off-pump open-heart surgery and lacked any history of psychiatric disorders were enrolled. Samples were selected according to a purposive sampling method. The Mini-Mental State Examination questionnaire was used for these patients to assess the incidence of cognitive disorder 24 hours after the operation in ICU and to compare creatinine level, ESR, extubation time and patients’ age in the two groups, one with postoperative cognitive disorder and the other without it. Independent T-test was used to compare the two groups regarding any history of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia, Chi square test was used.

Results:

In total, 75% of patients had postoperative cognitive disorder. There was a significant association between the history of high blood pressure, C-reactive protein and preoperative creatinine levels in both cognitive disorder and control groups.

Conclusions:

Given the significant prevalence of postoperative cognitive disorder and significant associatio n between the history of high blood pressure, C-reactive protein and preoperative creatinine and cognitive disorder, detection of patient’s clinical symptoms may improve diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this disorder.

Neurological examination of critically ill patients: a pragmatic approach. Report of an ESICM expert panel

OBJECTIVE

Many patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) have pre-existing or acquired neurological disorders which significantly affect their short-term and long-term outcomes. The ESICM Neuro Intensive Care Section convened an expert panel to establish a pragmatic approach to neurological examination (NE) of the critically ill patient.

METHODS

The group conducted a comprehensive review of published studies on the NE of patients with coma, delirium, seizures and neuromuscular weakness in critically ill patients. Quality of data was rated as high, moderate, low, or very low, and final recommendations as strong, weak, or best practice.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

The group made the following recommendations: (1) NE should be performed in all patients admitted to ICUs; (2) NE should include an assessment of consciousness and cognition, brainstem function, and motor function; (3) sedation should be managed to maximize the clinical detection of neurological dysfunction, except inpatients with reduced intracranial compliance in whom withdrawal of sedation may be deleterious; (4) the need for additional tests, including neurophysiological and neuroradiological investigations, should be guided by the NE; (5) selected features of the NE have prognostic value which should be considered in well-defined patient populations.

Critically ill elderly patients in a developing world--mortality and functional outcome at 1 year: a prospective single-center study

PURPOSE

To study the mortality and outcome of critically ill elderly patients in a developing country with focus on nutritional and socioeconomic status.

METHODS

A prospective study of 109 patients (215 screened) admitted consecutively to the intensive care unit from 2011 to 2012. Demographics, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, mechanical ventilation, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool score, socioeconomic category, functional status, delirium, and length of stay were recorded. Telephonic assessment of outcome was done at 1 year. Appropriate statistical tests compared differences between subgroups. Multivariate analysis was performed on significant variables (P<.1) affecting mortality.

RESULTS

At 12 months after discharge, 46.8% of patients (mean age, 76.5±9.6 years; APACHEII, 22.7±6.4; and intensive care unit stay, 7.8±3.4 days) had died. Risk factors for mortality at 12 months were APACHE II score (P<.001; odds ratio [OR], 1.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-1.3), severe malnutrition (P=.006; OR, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.01-0.48), and delirium (P=.03; OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.11-0.9). Risk factors for short-term mortality (at 28 days) were APACHE II score (P=.02; OR, 1.1 [1.0-1.2]) and premorbid functional status (P=.03; OR, 0.2 [0.1-0.8]). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a significant association with malnutrition (log-rank test, P=.012) but not with socioeconomic category. Most (72%) of the survivors had a favorable functional status.

CONCLUSIONS

Malnutrition, delirium, and APACHEII were risk factors for long-term mortality. Survivors had a good functional outcome. Appropriate quality of life tools for this population need to be developed.

Implementing delirium screening in the ICU: secrets to success

OBJECTIVE

To review delirium screening tools available for use in the adult ICU and PICU, to review evidence-based delirium screening implementation, and to discuss common pitfalls encountered during delirium screening in the ICU.

DATA SOURCES

Review of delirium screening literature and expert opinion.

RESULTS

Over the past decade, tools specifically designed for use in critically ill adults and children have been developed and validated. Delirium screening has been effectively implemented across many ICU settings. Keys to effective implementation include addressing barriers to routine screening, multifaceted training such as lectures, case-based scenarios, one-on-one teaching, and real-time feedback of delirium screening, and interdisciplinary communication through discussion of a patient's delirium status during bedside rounds and through documentation systems. If delirium is present, clinicians should search for reversible or treatable causes because it is often multifactorial.

CONCLUSION

Implementation of effective delirium screening is feasible but requires attention to implementation methods, including a change in the current ICU culture that believes delirium is inevitable or a normal part of a critical illness, to a future culture that views delirium as a dangerous syndrome which portends poor clinical outcomes and which is potentially modifiable depending on the individual patients circumstances.

Delirium screening in critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Despite its frequency and impact, delirium in critically ill patients is poorly recognized. Our aim was to systematically review the accuracy of delirium screening instruments in critically ill patients.

DATA SOURCE

Systematic review and meta-analysis of publications between 1966 and 2011. The Medline and Embase databases were searched for studies on delirium in critically ill patients.

STUDY SELECTION

The meta-analysis was limited to studies in critically ill patients in intensive care units, surgical wards, or emergency rooms. The delirium screening tool had to be feasible in a clinical setting for use by a nonexpert. As the gold standard, delirium had to be diagnosed based on appropriate criteria by a delirium expert.

DATA EXTRACTION

The outcomes assessed were sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and summary receiver operating characteristics curves.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Sixteen studies covering 1,523 participants and five screening tools were included in the systematic review. The pooled sensitivities and specificities of Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit for detection of delirium in critically ill patients were 75.5% and 95.8%, and for Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist 80.1% and 74.6%, respectively. All but one study was performed in a research setting, and that one study suggested that with routine use of the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit, half of the patients with delirium were not detected.

CONCLUSIONS

The Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit was the most specific bedside tool for the assessment of delirium in critically ill patients. However, there was significant heterogeneity of the results. These findings were largely obtained in research settings, and the low sensitivity of the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit in routine, daily practice may limit its use as a screening test.

The confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit (CAM-ICU) and intensive care delirium screening checklist (ICDSC) for the diagnosis of delirium: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical studies

INTRODUCTION

Delirium is a frequent form of acute brain dysfunction in critically ill patients, and several detection tools for it have been developed for use in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The objective of this study is to evaluate the current evidence on the accuracy of the Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) and the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) for the diagnosis of delirium in critically ill patients.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted to identify articles on the evaluation of the CAM-ICU and the ICDSC in ICU patients. A MEDLINE, SciELO, CINAHL and EMBASE databases search was performed for articles published in the English language, involving adult populations and comparing these diagnostic tools with the gold standard, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria. Results were summarized by meta-analysis. The QUADAS scale was used to assess the quality of the studies.

RESULTS

Nine studies evaluating the CAM-ICU (including 969 patients) and four evaluating the ICDSC (n = 361 patients) were included in the final analysis. The pooled sensitivity of the CAM-ICU was 80.0% (95% confidence interval (CI): 77.1 to 82.6%), and the pooled specificity was 95.9% (95% CI: 94.8 to 96.8%). The diagnostic odds ratio was 103.2 (95% CI: 39.6 to 268.8). The pooled area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.97. The pooled sensitivity of the ICDSC was 74% (95% CI: 65.3 to 81.5%), and the pooled specificity was 81.9% (95% CI: 76.7 to 86.4%). The diagnostic odds ratio was 21.5 (95% CI: 8.51 to 54.4). The AUC was 0.89.

CONCLUSIONS

The CAM-ICU is an excellent diagnostic tool in critically ill ICU patients, whereas the ICDSC has moderate sensitivity and good specificity. The available data suggest that both CAM-ICU and the ICDSC can be used as a screening tool for the diagnosis of delirium in critically ill patients.

State of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry in India: Current status and vision for future

Over the years Consultation-Liaison (C-L) psychiatry has contributed significantly to the growth of the psychiatry and has brought psychiatry very close to the advances in the medicine. It has also led to changes in the medical education and in the providing comprehensive management to the physically ill. In India, although the General Hospital Psychiatric units were established in 1930s, C-L Psychiatry has never been the main focus of training and research. Hence there is an urgent need to improve C-L Psychiatry services and training to provide best and optimal care to the patients and provide best education to the trainees.