Effect of the overlap syndrome of depressive symptoms and delirium on outcomes in elderly adults with hip fracture: a prospective cohort study

Risk factors for dementia in older intensive care unit (ICU) survivors

INTRODUCTION

As the number of older intensive care unit (ICU) survivors grows, there is an urgent need to identify modifiable risk factors for post-ICU dementia.

METHODS

We performed a secondary data analysis of 3144 ICU patients ≥ 50 years of age without a history of dementia or severe mental illness who were screened as part of the Pharmacological Management of Delirium (PMD) study. Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU. Dementia was identified using International Classification of Diseases Ninth and Tenth revision codes for dementia or prescription of anti-dementia medication.

RESULTS

Average age (standard deviation) was 65.2 ± 9.5 years; 50.4% were female; and 37.3% were Black. Analyses identified stroke (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.49; 95% confidence interval [CI: 1.52, 4.07], P < 0.001), and depression (adjusted HR 3.03; 95% CI [1.80, 5.10], P < 0.001) as post-ICU risk factors for dementia.

DISCUSSION

Future studies will need to examine whether interventions targeting post-ICU stroke and depression can lower dementia incidence in ICU survivors.

HIGHLIGHTS

Risk factors for post-intensive care unit (ICU) dementia were distinct from those of Alzheimer's disease. Cardiovascular risk factors were not associated with dementia in older ICU survivors. Post-ICU stroke was associated with a higher risk of dementia in older ICU survivors. Post-ICU depression was associated with a higher risk of dementia in older ICU survivors.

Association between postoperative delirium and adverse outcomes in older surgical patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To assess the incidence of postoperative delirium and its outcomes in older non-cardiac surgical patients.

DESIGN

A systematic review and meta-analysis with multiple databases searched from inception to February 22, 2022.

SETTING

Postoperative assessments.

PATIENTS

Non-cardiac and non-neurological surgical patients aged ≥60 years with and without postoperative delirium. Included studies must report ≥1 postoperative outcome. Studies with a small sample size (N < 100 subjects) were excluded.

MEASUREMENTS

Outcomes comprised the pooled incidence of postoperative delirium and its postoperative outcomes, including mortality, complications, unplanned intensive care unit admissions, length of stay, and non-home discharge. For dichotomous and continuous outcomes, OR and difference in means were computed, respectively, with a 95% CI.

MAIN RESULTS

Fifty-four studies (20,988 patients, 31 elective studies, 23 emergency studies) were included. The pooled incidence of postoperative delirium was 19% (95% CI: 16%, 23%) after elective surgery and 32% (95% CI: 25%, 39%) after emergency surgery. In elective surgery, postoperative delirium was associated with increased mortality at 1-month (OR: 6.60; 95% CI: 1.58, 27.66), 6-month (OR: 5.69; 95% CI: 2.33, 13.88), and 1-year (OR: 2.87; 95% CI: 1.63, 5.06). The odds of postoperative complications, unplanned intensive care unit admissions, prolonged length of hospital stay, and non-home discharge were also higher in delirium cases. In emergency surgery, patients with postoperative delirium had greater odds of mortality at 1-month (OR: 3.56; 95% CI: 1.77, 7.15), 6-month (OR: 2.60; 95% CI: 1.88, 3.61), and 1-year (OR: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.77, 3.00).

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative delirium was associated with higher odds of mortality, postoperative complications, unplanned intensive care unit admissions, length of hospital stay, and non-home discharge. Prevention and perioperative management of delirium may optimize surgical outcomes.

A multi- and mixed-method adaptation study of a patient-centered perioperative mental health intervention bundle

BACKGROUND

Anxiety and depression are common among older adults and can intensify during perioperative periods, but few mental health interventions are designed for older surgical patients' unique needs. As part of the feasibility trial, we developed and adapted a perioperative mental health (PMH) bundle for older patients comprised of behavioral activation (BA) and medication optimization (MO) to ameliorate anxiety and depressive symptoms before, during, and after cardiac, orthopedic, and oncologic surgery.

METHODS

We used mixed-methods including workshop studios with patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and interventionists; intervention refinement and reflection meetings; patient case review meetings; intervention session audio-recordings and documentation forms; and patient and caregiver semi-structured interviews. We used the results to refine our PMH bundle. We used multiple analytical approaches to report the nature of adaptations, including hybrid thematic analysis and content analysis informed by the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications - Expanded.

RESULTS

Adaptations were categorized by content (intervention components), context (how the intervention is delivered, based on the study, target population, intervention format, intervention delivery mode, study setting, study personnel), training, and evaluation. Of 51 adaptations, 43.1% involved content, 41.2% involved context, and 15.7% involved training and evaluation. Several key adaptations were noted: (1) Intervention content was tailored to patient preferences and needs (e.g., rewording elements to prevent stigmatization of mental health needs; adjusting BA techniques and documentation forms to improve patient buy-in and motivation). (2) Cohort-specific adaptations were recommended based on differing patient needs. (3) Compassion was identified by patients as the most important element.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified evidence-based mental health intervention components from other settings and adapted them to the perioperative setting for older adults. Informed by mixed-methods, we created an innovative and pragmatic patient-centered intervention bundle that is acceptable, feasible, and responsive to the needs of older surgical populations. This approach allowed us to identify implementation strategies to improve the reach, scalability, and sustainability of our bundle, and can guide future patient-centered intervention adaptations.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

NCT05110690 (11/08/2021).

A Patient-Centered Perioperative Mental Health Intervention Bundle: A Multi- and Mixed-Method Adaptation Study

Background

Anxiety and depression are common among older adults and can intensify during perioperative periods, but few mental health interventions are designed for older surgical patients' unique needs. We developed and adapted a perioperative mental health (PMH) bundle for older patients comprised of behavioral activation (BA) and medication optimization (MO) to ameliorate anxiety and depressive symptoms before, during, and after cardiac, orthopedic, and oncologic surgery.

Methods

We used mixed-methods including workshop studios with patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and interventionists; intervention refinement and reflection meetings; patient case review meetings; intervention session audio-recordings and documentation forms; and patient and caregiver semi-structured interviews. We used the results to refine our PMH bundle. We used multiple analytical approaches to report the nature of adaptations, including hybrid thematic analysis and content analysis informed by the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications - Expanded.

Results

Adaptations were categorized by content (intervention components), context (how the intervention is delivered, based on the study, target population, intervention format, intervention delivery mode, study setting, study personnel), training, and evaluation. Of 51 adaptations, 43.1% involved content, 41.2% involved context, and 15.7% involved training and evaluation. Several key adaptations were noted: 1) Intervention content was tailored to patient preferences and needs (e.g., rewording elements to prevent stigmatization of mental health needs; adjusting BA techniques and documentation forms to improve patient buy-in and motivation). 2) Cohort-specific adaptations were recommended based on differing patient needs. 3) Compassion was identified by patients as the most important element.

Conclusions

We identified evidence-based mental health intervention components from other settings and adapted them to the perioperative setting for older adults. Informed by mixed-methods, we created an innovative and pragmatic patient-centered intervention bundle that is acceptable, feasible, and responsive to the needs of older surgical populations. This approach allowed us to identify implementation strategies to improve the reach, scalability, and sustainability of our bundle, and can guide future patient-centered intervention adaptations.

Is mood associated with perception of recovery? Preoperative depression versus postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery

The author alone is responsible for the Invited Commentary, which does not necessarily reflect the policy of the Journal.

Prevalence and prognostic significance of depressive symptoms in a geriatric post-hip fracture assessment

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence and prognostic significance of post-hip fracture depressive symptoms.

METHODS

A naturalistic clinical cohort study. Data were collected on admission to hospital, geriatric assessment 4-6 months post-fracture and by telephone interview one-year post fracture. Depressive symptoms were assessed at the geriatric assessment using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). Logistic regression analyses with multivariable models were conducted to examine the association of depressive symptoms with changes in mobility and living arrangements and Cox proportional hazards models for mortality between the geriatric assessment and one-year follow-up.

RESULTS

Of the 1070 patients, 22% (n = 238) had mild and 6% (n = 67) moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Patients with depressive symptoms had poorer nutritional status at baseline, lower scores on the cognitive and physical performance tests and poorer functional abilities in the geriatric assessment than those without. No association was observed between depressive symptoms and any of the outcomes at one-year follow-up. Poor nutritional status and physical functioning remained significant prognostic indicators.

CONCLUSION

Post-hip fracture depressive symptoms are common and deserve attention during post-hip fracture recovery and rehabilitation. Nonetheless, depressive symptoms have no impact on the change in mobility or living arrangements or mortality. These latter outcomes are mainly explained by poor nutritional status and functioning.

Perioperative mental health intervention bundle for older surgical patients: protocol for an intervention development and feasibility study

INTRODUCTION

The perioperative period is high risk for older adults. Depression and anxiety are common perioperative problems, frequently coexisting with cognitive impairment. Older patients with these conditions are more likely than younger patients to experience postoperative delirium, long hospital stays, poor quality of life and rehospitalisation. These experiences can, in turn, exacerbate anxiety and depressive symptoms. Despite these risks, little is known about how to treat perioperative anxiety and depression among older adults.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We designed a feasibility study of a perioperative mental health intervention bundle to improve perioperative mental health, specifically depression and anxiety. The overarching goals of this study are twofold: first, to adapt and refine an intervention bundle comprised of behavioural activation and medication optimisation to meet the needs of older adults within three surgical patient populations (ie, orthopaedic, oncological and cardiac); and second, to test the feasibility of study procedures and intervention bundle implementation. Quantitative data on clinical outcomes such as depression, anxiety, quality of life, delirium, falls, length of stay, hospitalisation and pain will be collected and tabulated for descriptive purposes. A hybrid inductive-deductive thematic approach will be employed to analyse qualitative feedback from key stakeholders.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study received approval from the Washington University Institutional Review Board. Results of this study will be presented in peer-reviewed journals, at professional conferences, and to our perioperative mental health advisory board.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05110690.

Delirium and Its Pharmacological Causes in Older People, Part 1

Delirium is a syndrome that can arise from many causes or underlying conditions, and though it has been reported in younger patients, it is more prevalent in older people, though it can occur in other age groups as well. Identifying delirium is challenging in older people because of the coexistence of underlying dementia or depression, which may further complicate the presentation. Drug-induced delirium is one of the major causes of delirium, and evaluation of this potential cause or contribution is an important component of the evaluation process, since it can lead to poor patient outcomes. This article will review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, evaluation, diagnostic process, and causes of delirium in older people, with a focus on the pharmacological causes.

Postoperative delirium mediates 180-day mortality in orthopaedic trauma patients

BACKGROUND

Frailty has been associated with increased incidence of postoperative delirium and mortality. We hypothesised that postoperative delirium mediates a clinically significant (≥1%) percentage of the effect of frailty on mortality in older orthopaedic trauma patients.

METHODS

This was a single-centre, retrospective observational study including 558 adults 65 yr and older, who presented with an extremity fracture requiring hospitalisation without initial ICU admission. We used causal statistical inference methods to estimate the relationships between frailty, postoperative delirium, and mortality.

RESULTS

In the cohort, 180-day mortality rate was 6.5% (36/558). Frail and prefrail patients comprised 23% and 39%, respectively, of the study cohort. Frailty was associated with increased 180 day mortality from 1.4% to 12.2% (11% difference; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.4-13.6), which translated statistically into an 88.7% (79.9-94.3%) direct effect and an 11.3% (5.7-20.1%) postoperative delirium mediated effect. Prefrailty was also associated with increased 180 day mortality from 1.4% to 4.4% (2.9% difference; 2.4-3.4), which was translated into a 92.5% (83.8-99.9%) direct effect and a 7.5% (0.1-16.2%) postoperative delirium mediated effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty is associated with increased postoperative mortality, and delirium might mediate a clinically significant, but small percentage of this effect. Studies should assess whether, in patients with frailty, attempts to mitigate delirium might decrease postoperative mortality.

Factors of presenting an acute confusional syndrome after a hip fracture

INTRODUCTION

Acute confusional syndrome (ACS) is a geriatric syndrome that manifests itself with changes in cognition, attention, underactive or hyperactive motor response, and fluctuation in the level of consciousness after trauma, hospitalisation or surgery. The objective is to know the risk factors and prevention of acute confusional syndrome in the elderly with hip fractures (HF) .

METHODS

Prospective observational cohort study. The inclusion criteria was to be age ≥ 65 and HF operated under selective spinal anesthetic (bupivacaine ≤ 7 mg + fentanyl 10-15 .mu.g) without benzodiazepine, ketamine or propofol. The potential risk factors of ACS were recorded: demographic variables, fracture type, Charlson index, ASA risk, performance of a peripheral nerve block (PNB), and scale scores: Barthel, Fried, Pfeifer, RCMS, MNA and VAS. ACS was diagnosed by the CAM questionnaire. The risk factors were estimated by binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of the 133 patients included, 60 (45.11%) developed preoperative ACS, and 25 developed (18.8%) postoperative ACS. Having identified cognitive impairment with ≥ 3 points on the RCMS (OR 11.04 [ 95% ic: 1.3 - 89.1], p <0.001) or Pfeiffer (OR 6.94 [95% ic: 1.07 - 44.69], p <0.0 41) was a risk factor of ACS. Among patients with cognitive impairment or dementia, the increase of surgical delay (OR 1.95 [ 95% CI: 1.2 -2.91], p <0.001) was associated with the increased likelihood of presenting perioperative ACS, while performing a perioperative PNB decreased the likelihood of presenting perioperative ACS (without PNB: 43.8%, with PNB: 4.7%, OR 0.3 [0.2 to 0.43], p <0.001).

CONCLUSION

Identifying patients with HF and cognitive impairment using RCMS or the Pfeiffer test and performing HF surgery within 36 h administering perioperative PNB could reduce the incidence of ACS.

Surgical outcomes for people with serious mental illness are poorer than for other patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between having a serious mental illness and surgical outcomes for adults, including in-hospital and 30-day mortality, post-operative complications, and hospital length of stay.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of publications in English to 30 July 2018 of studies that examined associations between having a serious mental illness and surgical outcomes for adults who underwent elective surgery. Primary outcomes were in-hospital and 30-day mortality, post-operative complications, and length of hospital stay. Risk of bias was assessed with the Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool. Studies were grouped by serious mental illness diagnosis and outcome measures. Odds ratios (ORs) or mean differences (MDs), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated in random effects models to provide pooled effect estimates.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane Library.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Of the 3824 publications identified by our search, 26 (including 6 129 806 unique patients) were included in our analysis. The associations between having any serious mental illness diagnosis and having any post-operative complication (ten studies, 125 624 patients; pooled effect: OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.15-1.79) and a longer stay in hospital (ten studies, 5 385 970 patients; MD, 2.6 days; 95% CI, 0.8-4.4 days) were statistically significant, but not those for in-hospital mortality (three studies, 42 926 patients; OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.69-2.12) or 30-day mortality (six studies, 83 013 patients; OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 0.86-3.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Having a serious mental illness is associated with higher rates of post-operative complications and longer stays in hospital, but not with higher in-hospital or 30-day mortality. Targeted pre-operative interventions may improve surgical outcomes for these vulnerable patients.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO, CRD42018080114 (prospective).

Orthogeriatric Management: Improvements in Outcomes during Hospital Admission Due to Hip Fracture

Hip fractures are an important socio-economic problem in western countries. Over the past 60 years orthogeriatric care has improved the management of older patients admitted to hospital after suffering hip fractures. Quality of care in orthogeriatric co-management units has increased, reducing adverse events during acute admission, length of stay, both in-hospital and mid-term mortality, as well as healthcare and social costs. Nevertheless, a large number of areas of controversy regarding the clinical management of older adults admitted due to hip fracture remain to be clarified. This narrative review, centered in the last 5 years, combined the search terms "hip fracture", "geriatric assessment", "second hip fracture", "surgery", "perioperative management" and "orthogeriatric care", in order to summarise the state of the art of some questions such as the optimum analgesic protocol, the best approach for treating anemia, the surgical options recommendable for each type of fracture and the efficiency of orthogeriatric co-management and functional recovery.

Prevalence of depression in older people with hip fracture: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Hip fracture disrupts general health and is one of the most common physical injuries in the elderly. Depression is the most common mood disorder in older people and one of the main complications of hip fractures.

AIM AND METHODS

We conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of depression in older people with hip fractures. Relevant literature published until July 2019 was obtained and screened according to established inclusion criteria. Two researchers independently carried out quality assessment and data extraction before the meta-analysis. We calculated proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CI). To investigate the sources of heterogeneity, we performed subgroup analyses based on study design, follow-up duration, type of fracture, and gender.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven studies with a combined sample size of 11958 were included. The overall prevalence of depression in older people with hip fracture was 23% (95% CI: 0.18 to 0.29). The lowest and highest prevalence of depression was in Asia (0.19) and America (0.27) respectively.

CONCLUSION

In this systematic review and meta-analysis the estimated prevalence of depression among older hip fracture patients was 23%. Further research is needed to identify strategies for preventing and treating mood disorders in this population.

Orthogeriatric assessment of patients over 75 years of age with a proximal femur fracture: Predictors of 6-month mortality

INTRODUCTION

Proximal femur fractures are common and dangerous in older adults, given the high short-term mortality rate. While surgical treatment is vital, medical orthogeriatric care may reduce the 6-month mortality rate; however, this has not been determined on a broad scale in France. This led us to conduct a retrospective study to answer the following questions: (1) Does delayed surgical treatment impact the 6-month mortality rate? (2) Are there correctable medical factors that impact the 6-month mortality?

HYPOTHESIS

Delayed surgical treatment is not an isolated risk factor for higher 6-month mortality after proximal femur fracture.

METHODS

We included all patients 75 years or older who had suffered a proximal femur fracture requiring surgical treatment. This allowed us to analyze the medical records of 476 patients retrospectively. We documented their comorbidities and pre-, intra- and postoperative characteristics. A univariate then multivariate analysis was done to identify risk factors for mortality at 6 months.

RESULTS

In the univariate analysis, time to surgery of more than 48hours increased the risk of dying at 6 months by 1.5 fold (Odds ratio (OR)=1.57/95% CI: 1-2.48/p=0.04). However, this risk factor was not significant in the multivariate analysis since it is not an independent risk factor. In the multivariate analysis, anticoagulants (OR=2/95% CI: 1.13-3.50/p=0.02), dementia (OR=2.2/95% CI: 1.32-3.59/p=0.002), peripheral artery disease (OR=2.9/95% CI: 1.10-7.70/p=0.03), 2-point drop in hemoglobin count from preoperative to postoperative (OR=1.9/95% CI: 1.05-3.12/p=0.04), male sex (OR=1.82/95% CI: 1.05-3.12/p=0.04), age above 85 years (OR=5.26/95% CI: 1.49-5.26/p=0.002) and Charlson comorbidity index≥7 (OR=2.13/95% CI: 1.29-3.52/p=0.003) were statistically associated with mortality at 6 months.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Our study found that the patients most at risk for dying within 6 months of a hip fracture were males, older than 85 and have associated medical conditions (Charlson index≥7). Prior anticoagulant treatment increases the time to surgery in our study and therefore increases the risk of these patients dying within 6 months. Treatment of these at-risk patients should ensure that their underlying medical conditions are not made worse, while providing treatment within 48hours. Patients taking anticoagulants must be monitored carefully to ensure surgical treatment is not delayed.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, retrospective study without control group.

Preoperative Depression and Plasma Cortisol Levels as Predictors of Delirium after Cardiac Surgery

BACKGROUND

Delirium is common in old patients who undergo cardiac surgery, and it is associated with adverse outcomes. The genesis of delirium is thought to be multi-factorial, but it is still not well understood. Symptoms of depression and elevated cortisol level have been described in some previous studies as factors associated with delirium, suggesting a shared pathophysiology.

AIMS

The objective of the present study was to determine whether preoperative depression symptoms and increased cortisol level represent risk factors for delirium after cardiac surgery.

METHODS

We performed a prospective cohort study in 183 patients aged >50 years undergoing elective cardiac surgery. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used to assess patients for depressive symptoms before surgery. Preoperative plasma cortisol levels were available in 145 participants. Delirium was diagnosed using the Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) during the first 7 days after surgery. Spearman correlation was used for correlations between GDS, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Charlson comorbidity index, and age. Binary logistic regression was used to determine whether GDS and cortisol levels predict postoperative delirium.

RESULTS

Delirium occurred in 60 patients out of 183 (32.8%) included and lasted 2.3 days (SD 1.36). GDS was correlated with age (p = 0.001) and comorbidity index (p = 0.003) and inversely correlated with MMSE score (p < 0.001). Higher preoperative GDS scores were associated with incidence of delirium in the postoperative period (p = 0.002). The association was significant after controlling for age, MMSE score, history of stroke, and Charlson comorbidity index (p = 0.045). Preoperative cortisol level was not associated with the development of postoperative delirium.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that a higher preoperative depression score is associated with an increased risk of postoperative delirium. On the other hand, preoperative plasma cortisol level does not seem to be a predictor of delirium after surgery. Further studies are needed to determine the potential of preoperative depression treatment to prevent postoperative delirium.

Association of depression with malnutrition, grip strength and impaired cognitive function among senior trauma patients

BACKGROUND

Depression is common among senior adults, yet understudied among trauma patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms among seniors hospitalized in acute trauma care, to compare patients with depressive symptoms vs. those without, and to evaluate whether depression symptoms affects discharge destination.

METHODS

This cross-sectional and prospective analysis was conducted among community-dwelling patients ≥70 years old, hospitalized at the Senior Trauma Center of the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. We used the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) to assess presence of depressive symptoms. Using a cutoff value of 5 points, we compared age- and gender-adjusted characteristics of patients with and without depressive symptoms. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of returning home vs. not adjusting for age, gender, nutritional status, cognitive function and others.

RESULTS

Of the 273 seniors enrolled, 104 (38.1%) were men and the mean age was 79.4 (SD = 6.5) years. We identified 52 (19.0%) patients with depressive symptoms. These patients were more likely to be older (p = 0.04), at risk for malnutrition (p<0.0001), at least pre-frail (p = 0.005), and have decreased cognitive function (p = 0.001). They were also more than twice as likely to be discharged to acute geriatric care compared to home (OR = 2.28 (CI = 1.12-4.68)).

LIMITATIONS

Depressive symptoms were assessed during acute care without data before hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS

Senior trauma patients with depressive symptoms during acute care were more likely to be at higher risk of malnutrition, have cognitive decline and are more likely to receive additional geriatric care.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Examining the Impact of Incident Postoperative Delirium on Mortality

Background

Delirium is an acute and reversible geriatric syndrome that represents a decompensation of cerebral function. Delirium is associated with adverse postoperative outcomes, but controversy exists regarding whether delirium is an independent predictor of mortality. Thus, we assessed the association between incident postoperative delirium and mortality in adult noncardiac surgery patients.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted using Cochrane, MEDLINE/PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Embase. Screening and data extraction were conducted by two independent reviewers. Pooled-effect estimates calculated with a random-effects model were expressed as odds ratios with 95% CIs. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Non-Randomized Studies.

Results

A total of 34 of 4,968 screened citations met inclusion criteria. Risk of bias ranged from moderate to critical. Pooled analysis of unadjusted event rates (5,545 patients) suggested that delirium was associated with a four-fold increase in the odds of death (odds ratio = 4.12 [95% CI, 3.29 to 5.17]; I2 = 24.9%). A formal pooled analysis of adjusted outcomes was not possible due to heterogeneity of effect measures reported. However, in studies that controlled for prespecified confounders, none found a statistically significant association between incident postoperative delirium and mortality (two studies in hip fractures; n = 729) after an average follow-up of 21 months. Overall, as study risk of bias decreased, the association between delirium and mortality decreased.

Conclusions

Few high-quality studies are available to estimate the impact of incident postoperative delirium on mortality. Studies that controlled for prespecified confounders did not demonstrate significant independent associations of delirium with mortality.

Urinary tract infection in patients with hip fracture: An underestimated event?

AIM

Urinary tract infections (UTI) represent a common perioperative complication among elderly patients with hip fracture. To determine the impact of UTI on the perioperative course of elderly patients with hip fractures, a prospective study was carried out.

METHODS

A total of 402 surgically-treated geriatric hip fracture patients were consecutively enrolled at a level 1 trauma center. On admission, all patients received an indwelling urinary catheter. Clinically symptomatic patients were screened more closely for UTI. Patients diagnosed with UTI were compared with asymptomatic patients. Outcomes in both patient groups were measured using in-hospital mortality, overall length of hospital stay, wound infection, functional results and mobility at discharge. Multivariate regression analysis was carried out to control for influencing factors.

RESULTS

A total of 97 patients (24%) sustained a UTI during in-hospital treatment. UTI were independently associated with inferior functional outcomes as assessed by the Barthel Index (β = -0.091; P = 0.031), Timed Up and Go test (β = 0.364; P = 0.001) and Tinetti test (β = -0.169; P = 0.001) at discharge. Additionally, length of hospital stay was significantly longer for patients with a UTI diagnosis (β = 0.123; P = 0.029) after controlling for all other variables. No differences were observed in the rate of wound infection (odds ratio 1.185; P = 0.898) or in-hospital mortality (P < 0.997).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with UTI seem to be at risk of inferior functional outcomes. In addition to an early detection of symptomatic UTI and a targeted antibiotic therapy, perioperative care should focus on preserving functional ability to protect these patients from further loss of independence and prolonged clinical courses. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2369-2376.

Sundown syndrome and symptoms of anxiety and depression in hospitalized elderly

Sundown syndrome is characterized by the sudden appearance of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as agitation, confusion and anxiety in a chronologic fashion, usually during late afternoon or early evening.

Depressive Symptoms Before, During, and After Delirium: A Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Delirium and depression are often thought of as mutually exclusive conditions. However, several studies cite depression as a risk factor for delirium whereas others note that patients with delirium often manifest depressive symptoms. Whether these depressive symptoms persist after delirium resolves remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

This article reviews published studies that have investigated the relationship between depression and delirium.

METHODS

Literature searches on PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and PsycInfo were conducted using search criteria "delirium" AND "depress⁎" as keywords or MeSH terms.

RESULTS

Of 722 search results, 10 prospective cohort studies were identified for inclusion. These studies were categorized regarding the time of assessment for depressive symptoms. Included studies varied greatly (regarding their index population, their methods of assessment, and their timing of assessments). Of the studies, 3 involved patients undergoing hip fracture repair. They demonstrated more severe depressive symptoms both during delirium and after delirium ended. Conversely, the other studies did not find any statistically significant correlations between the 2 conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

The literature suggests a correlation between depression and delirium in patients with hip fracture. Whether other specific populations have higher comorbidity is unclear. Unfortunately, studies varied widely in their methods, precluding a meta-analysis. Nonetheless, our review provides a foundation for future research.

The relation of depression to in-hospital outcomes among adults hospitalized for firearm-related injury

INTRODUCTION

Firearm injuries are a major health problem contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. Depression is associated with increased risk of adverse health outcomes in trauma patients and those hospitalized for serious disorders. We examined the relation between preexisting depression and adverse hospital outcomes and related injury severity among adult (>16-years) firearm hospitalizations (FH).

METHODS

Using nationally representative Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2005 to 2011) and survey weighted multinomial logistic regression, we calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) to determine the risk of care facility discharge and in-hospital mortality by pre-existing depression.

RESULTS

Pre-existing depression was associated with a 3-fold risk of discharge to care facility (OR=2.91, 95%CI=2.57-3.30) and a 2-fold risk of in-hospital mortality (OR=2.05, 95%CI=1.69-2.47). ORs for risk of care facility discharge compared to routine discharge associated with depression among assault/legal-FH, unintentional-FH, suicide-FH and undetermined-FH was 2.73 (95%CI=2.23-3.33), 1.90 (95%CI=1.50-2.41), 1.52 (95%CI=1.26-1.83) and 2.42 (95%CI=1.60-3.67), while risk of inhospital mortality was 0.17 (95%CI=0.05-0.54), 0.60 (95%CI=0.28-1.29), 0.79 (95%CI=0.63-0.98) and 0.74 (95%CI=0.36-1.52).

LIMITATIONS

Lack of information regarding re-hospitalization due to the cross-sectional data.

CONCLUSION

Persons with depression who were hospitalized due to firearm-related injury were less likely to survive than those without depression, and those discharged alive were at higher risk of discharge to a facility. Depression was associated with greater risk of discharge to facility among all intents, and lower risk of in-hospital mortality among assault- and suicide-FH. These findings are important considering the increasing numbers of non-fatal firearm hospitalizations and the associated increase in healthcare expenditure.

Is preoperative state anxiety a risk factor for postoperative delirium among elderly hip fracture patients?

AIM

To determine if preoperative state anxiety is a risk factor for postoperative delirium in older hip fracture patients.

METHODS

A secondary data analysis comprising data from a prospective non-randomized trial including 86 patients with a hip fracture aged 65 years and older was carried out. State anxiety was measured preoperatively using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Delirium and its severity was measured pre- and postoperatively (day 1, 3, 5, 8) by trained research nurses using the Confusion Assessment Method and Delirium Index.

RESULTS

A total of 24 patients (27.9%) developed delirium postoperatively. Preoperative state anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) was not associated with postoperative delirium (rb  = 0.135, P = 0.353), duration of postoperative delirium (rho = 0.038, P = 0.861) or severity of postoperative delirium (rho = 0.153, P = 0.160). Independent predictors of postoperative delirium were lower MMSE scores (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.60-0.95, P = 0.015), osteosynthesis surgery (OR 3.66, 95% CI 1.02-13.15, P = 0,047) and lowest intraoperative diastolic blood pressure (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.85-0.99, P = 0.031).

CONCLUSION

No relationship between state anxiety and postoperative delirium was found, but significant methodological hurdles were observed and discussed providing important groundwork for further research in this area. Further research should focus on reliable measurement of state anxiety in cognitively impaired older populations. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 948-955.