Deficits in Self-Reported Initiation Are AssociatedWith Subsequent Disability in ICU Survivors

Cognitive Impairment, Physical Impairment, and Psychological Symptoms in Intensive Care Unit Survivors

BACKGROUND

Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) affects 25% to 50% of adults who survive an intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Although the compounding of PICS impairments (cognitive, physical, and psychological) could intensify the syndrome, research on relationships among impairments is limited, particularly in patients with delirium.

OBJECTIVES

To examine associations among PICS impairments and examine delirium status and its relationship to PICS impairments at ICU discharge and 1 month later.

METHODS

A descriptive, correlational study of adults who survived an ICU stay. Participants completed measures for depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, physical function, functional status, and cognition at ICU discharge and 1 month later. Relationships among PICS impairments were examined with Spearman correlations; differences in impairments by delirium status were assessed with t tests.

RESULTS

Of 50 enrolled participants, 46 were screened for PICS impairment at ICU discharge and 35 were screened 1 month later. Cognitive impairment was the most common impairment at both time points. A positive correlation was found between cognition and functional status at ICU discharge (ρ = 0.50, P = .001) and 1 month later (ρ = 0.54, P = .001). Cognition and physical functioning were positively correlated 1 month after discharge (ρ = 0.46, P = .006). The group with delirium had significantly lower functional status scores than the group without delirium at ICU discharge (P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest a moderate correlation between cognitive and physical impairments. This relationship should be explored further; ICU survivors with undiagnosed cognitive impairment may have delayed physical recovery and greater risk for injury.

Cognitive Deficits Following Intensive Care

BACKGROUND

Illnesses that necessitate intensive care can impair cognitive function severely over the long term, leaving patients less able to cope with the demands of everyday living and markedly lowering their quality of life. There has not yet been any comprehensive study of the cognitive sequelae of critical illness among non- surgical patients treated in intensive care. The purpose of this review is to present the available study findings on cognitive deficits in such patients, with particular at- tention to prevalence, types of deficit, clinical course, risk factors, prevention, and treatment.

METHODS

This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective search in MEDLINE.

RESULTS

The literature search yielded 3360 hits, among which there were 14 studies that met our inclusion criteria. 17-78% of patients had cognitive deficits after dis- charge from the intensive care unit; most had never had a cognitive deficit before. Cognitive impairment often persisted for up to several years after discharge (0.5 to 9 years) and tended to improve over time. The only definite risk factor is delirium.

CONCLUSION

Cognitive dysfunction is a common sequela of the treatment of non-surgical patients in intensive care units. It is a serious problem for the affected persons and an increasingly important socio-economic problem as well. The effective management of delirium is very important. General conclusions are hard to draw from the available data because of heterogeneous study designs, varying methods of measurement, and differences among patient cohorts. Further studies are needed so that study designs and clinical testing procedures can be standard- ized and effective measures for prevention and treatment can be identified.

Is hospitalisation a risk factor for cognitive decline in the elderly?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cognitive decline is frequently reported after hospitalisation in the contexts of surgery, delirium and critical care. The question not adequately addressed is whether all types of acute hospitalisations increase the risk of cognitive decline. As acute hospitalisations are common in the elderly, who are also vulnerable to cognitive decline, this possible association is of significant concern.

RECENT FINDINGS

This review summarises cognitive outcomes from recent observational studies investigating acute hospitalisation (emergent and elective) in older age adults. Studies were identified from searching Medline, Embase and PsycINFO databases and citations lists. The highest incidence of cognitive decline has been reported following critical care admissions and admissions complicated by delirium, although all types of acute hospitalisations are implicated. Age is the most consistent risk factor for cognitive decline. Several etiological and therapeutic aspects are being investigated, particularly the measurement of inflammatory biomarkers and treatment with anti-inflammatory medications.

SUMMARY

Acute hospitalisation for any reason appears to increase the risk of cognitive decline in older adults, but the cause remains elusive. Future research must clarify the nature and modifiers of posthospitalisation cognitive change, a priority in the face of an ageing population.