PRospective Observational POLIsh Study on post-stroke delirium (PROPOLIS): methodology of hospital-based cohort study on delirium prevalence, predictors and diagnostic tools

Global Assessment of Palliative Care Need: Serious Health-Related Suffering Measurement Methodology

CONTEXT

Inequities and gaps in palliative care access are a serious impediment to health systems especially in low- and middle-income countries and the accurate measurement of need across health conditions is a critical step to understanding and addressing the issue. Serious Health-related Suffering (SHS) is a novel methodology to measure the palliative care need and was originally developed by The Lancet Commission on Global Access to Palliative Care and Pain Relief. In 2015, the first iteration - SHS 1.0 - was estimated at over 61 million people worldwide experiencing at least 6 billion days of SHS annually as a result of life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.

OBJECTIVES

In this paper, an updated methodology - SHS 2.0 - is presented building on the work of the Lancet Commission and detailing calculations, data requirements, limitations, and assumptions.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The updates to the original methodology focus on measuring the number of people who die with (decedents) or live with (non-decedents) SHS in a given year to assess the number of people in need of palliative care across health conditions and populations. Detail on the methodology for measuring the number of days of SHS that was pioneered by the Lancet Commission, is also shared, as this second measure is essential for determining the health system responses that are necessary to address palliative care need and must be a priority for future methodological work on SHS.

CONCLUSIONS

The methodology encompasses opportunities for applying SHS to future policy making assessment of future research priorities particularly in light of the dearth of data from low- and middle-income countries, and sharing of directions for future work to develop SHS 3.0.

Circulating Chemokines and Short- and Long-Term Outcomes After Ischemic Stroke

Chemokines are vital in post-cerebral ischemia inflammatory reactions. We investigate the possible relationship between plasma chemokines and short-term and long-term outcomes after stroke. This study included 235 patients (median age, 72 years; 49.8% female) suffering from ischemic stroke, or transient ischemic attack admitted to the hospital within 24 h of onset. We evaluated chemokines CCL2, CCL5, CXCL8, CXCL9, and CXCL10 in plasma samples collected upon admission. Further, we assessed functional outcomes at 3- and 12-months, all-cause fatality over 5 years, and episodes of delirium within the first 7 days of admission. Multivariate analysis revealed an association between higher CXCL10 levels and an increased risk of poor functional outcomes at 3 months (OR: 3.02, 95%CI: 1.22-7.46, p = 0.016) and 12 months (OR: 2.32, 95%CI: 1.03-5.26, p = 0.043), as well as an increased death risk (HR: 1.79, 95%CI: 1.04-3.07, p = 0.036). High CXCL8 levels independently predicted poor functional outcomes at 12 months (OR: 2.69, 95%CI: 1.39-6.31, p = 0.005) and a higher 5-year case fatality rate (HR: 1.90, 95%CI: 1.23-2.93, p = 0.004). Elevated CXCL9 levels also predicted unfavourable functional outcomes at 12 months (OR: 2.45, 95%CI: 1.07-5.61, p = 0.034). In univariate analysis, increased levels of CXCL8, CXCL9, and CXCL10 showed an association with delirium, although this link was not evident in the multivariate analysis. Plasma CXCL8 and CXCL10 show potential as prognostic biomarkers for stroke outcomes and as therapeutic targets suitable for reverse translation.

Five-year stroke prognosis. Influence of post-stroke delirium and post-stroke dementia on mortality and disability (Research Study - Part of the PROPOLIS Study)

INTRODUCTION

With increasing life expectancy and the rising incidence of stroke in young adults, it is important to know the long-term prognosis of this condition. Post-stroke delirium and post-stroke dementia are common complications of stroke that negatively affect prognosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate five-year mortality from stroke and to assess the influence of post-stroke delirium and post-stroke dementia on mortality and disability over the five-year period.

METHODS

Consecutive patients admitted to the stroke unit for acute stroke or transient ischemic attacks were screened for in-hospital delirium. At the three- and twelve-month follow-up, the same patients underwent neurocognitive testing. Diagnoses of in-hospital delirium and dementia after three and twelve months based on DSM-5 criteria. Five years after stroke surviving patients were reevaluated. Outcome assessment included place of stay, current functional status assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), or death.

RESULTS

At the five-years of follow-up, data were collected from 575 of 750 patients originally included in the study (76.67%). The mortality rate was 51.65%. In-hospital post-stroke delirium and post-stroke dementia diagnosed three and twelve months after stroke were independent risk factors for death and an increase in mRS score of ≥ 1 or ≥ 2 points. There was no significant association with institutionalization rate.

CONCLUSIONS

More than half of post-stroke patients die within five years of follow-up. Post-stroke delirium and post-stroke dementia are associated with an increased risk of death and disability.

Transient cognitive impairment in the acute phase of stroke - prevalence, risk factors and influence on long-term prognosis in population of patients with stroke (research study - part of the PROPOLIS study)

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairment is a common complication of the acute phase of stroke, which can be transient and resolve while still in the hospital. This study evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for transient cognitive impairment and their impact on long-term prognosis in a population of acute-phase stroke patients.

METHODS

Consecutive patients admitted to a stroke unit with acute stroke or transient ischemic attack were screened twice for cognitive impairment using the parallel version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment: the first time between the first and third day and the second time between the fourth and seventh day of hospitalization. If the second test score increased by two or more points, transient cognitive impairment was diagnosed. Patients were scheduled for follow-up visits three and 12 months after stroke. Outcome assessment included place of discharge, current functional status, dementia, or death.

RESULTS

Four hundred forty-seven patients were included in the study, 234 (52.35%) were diagnosed with transient cognitive impairment. Delirium was the only independent risk factor for transient cognitive impairment (OR 2.417, 95%CI 1.096-5.333, p = 0.029). In the analysis of effects on three- and twelve-month prognosis, patients with transient cognitive impairment had a lower risk of hospital or institution stay 3 months after stroke compared with patients with permanent cognitive impairment (OR 0.396, 95%CI 0.217-0.723, p = 0.003). There was no significant effect on mortality, disability or risk of dementia.

CONCLUSIONS

Transient cognitive impairment, which often occurs in the acute phase of stroke, does not increase the risk of long-term complications.

Serum C-reactive protein adds predictive information for post-stroke delirium: The PROPOLIS study

OBJECTIVE

Delirium is common and serious complication after stroke. Accurate prediction of delirium is important for prevention and monitoring of high-risk patients. Our study aimed to determine if addition of C-reactive protein (CRP) to a model based on easy-to-access clinical predictors improves accuracy of delirium prediction in acute stroke patients.

METHODS

We analyzed data of patients participating in the Prospective Observational Polish Study on post-stroke delirium. We included patients admitted within 24 h after stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in whom serum CRP was measured on admission. We examined core features of delirium during first 7 days of hospitalization. We assessed if addition of CRP to two clinical models improved metrics of discrimination and reclassification. Model A included age and stroke severity and Model B included stroke severity, atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, pre-stroke dependency, and hemorrhagic stroke.

RESULTS

We included 459 patients. We diagnosed delirium in 29.2% of them. Patients who developed delirium had higher CRP level than those without delirium (median: 13.2 vs. 4.4 mg/L, p < 0.001). CRP >7.09 mg/L was associated with an increased risk of delirium (adjusted OR: 2.98, 95%CI: 1.71-5.19, p < 0.001). After adding CRP to clinical models, an area under receiver operator curve increased from 0.77 to 0.80 (p = 0.038) for Model A and from 0.81 to 0.84 (p = 0.016) for Model B. There was also improvement in reclassification.

CONCLUSIONS

Addition of CRP to clinical predictors moderately improved prediction of post-stroke delirium. CRP could be considered as a potential biomarker to stratify risk of delirium after stroke.

Delirium and subsyndromal delirium are associated with the long-term risk of death after ischaemic stroke

BACKGROUND

Post-stroke delirium has a negative impact on functional outcome. We explored if there is any association between delirium, subsyndromal delirium and long-term mortality after ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack.

METHODS

We included 564 patients with ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack. We assessed symptoms of delirium during the first 7 days after admission. We used Cox proportional hazards models to analyse all-cause mortality during the first 5 years after stroke.

RESULTS

We diagnosed delirium in 23.4% and subsyndromal delirium in 10.3% of patients. During the follow-up, 72.7% of patients with delirium, 51.7% of patients with subsyndromal delirium and 22.7% of patients without delirious symptoms died (P < 0.001). Patients with subsyndromal delirium and delirium had higher risk of death in the multivariate analysis (HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.11-2.68, P = 0.016 and HR 3.30, 95% CI 2.29-4.76, P < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Post-stroke delirium is associated with long-term mortality. Patients with subsyndromal delirium are at the intermediate risk of death.

The use of anticholinergic medication is associated with an increased risk of stroke-associated pneumonia

BACKGROUND

Pneumonia is a frequent medical complication after stroke. A few studies showed that the use of anticholinergic medication is associated with a higher risk of community acquired pneumonia in the elderly. We aimed to determine if there is any association between anticholinergic medication used before stroke and stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP).

METHODS

We analysed prospectively collected data of 675 patients with acute stroke (mean age 71.4 ± 13.3; 53.1% female). We used the Anticholinergic Drug Scale to assess anticholinergic exposure during a month preceding stroke onset.

RESULTS

We diagnosed SAP in 14.7% of patients. The use of anticholinergic medication was associated with an elevated risk of SAP (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.59-4.11, P < 0.01) in univariate analysis. This association remained significant in multivariable analysis adjusted for age, stroke severity, atrial fibrillation, previous myocardial infarction and respiratory tract diseases (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.01-4.22, P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of anticholinergic medication before stroke is associated with an increased risk of SAP.

Subtypes of delirium after ischaemic stroke-predisposing factors and outcomes: a prospective observational study (PROPOLIS)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Delirium is a serious complication after stroke. It remains unclear whether different motor subtypes of delirium are associated with diverse risk factors and outcomes. The aim was to investigate if delirium subtypes differ in predisposing factors, clinical characteristics and outcomes.

METHODS

In all, 698 patients with ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (median age 73 years; 53.7% female) were prospectively included. Core features of delirium during the first 7 days after admission were examined. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria for delirium were used. Pre-stroke characteristics were compared between different delirium subtypes and logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were used to explore the association between delirium, functional outcome and death.

RESULTS

Hyperactive, hypoactive and mixed delirium were diagnosed in 28, 75 and 66 patients, respectively. Patients with hyperactive delirium had less severe neurological deficit on admission and more often had transient ischaemic attack compared with patients with hypoactive and mixed delirium. Compared with patients with hypoactive delirium, those with hyperactive delirium more often suffered from irritability/lability prior to stroke. Hyperactive and hypoactive delirium did not differ in age, sex, comorbidities, pre-stroke dependency, cognitive decline and severity of delirium. Hyperactive, hypoactive and mixed delirium were associated with an increased risk of poor 3- and 12-month functional outcome compared with patients without delirium. Moreover, patients with hypoactive and mixed delirium had an elevated risk of death.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperactive delirium is associated with less severe stroke and higher scores of pre-existing irritability/lability. All three motor subtypes of delirium are associated with poor outcome, although hyperactive delirium seems to have a less unfavourable prognosis.

Elevated plasma levels of galectin-3 binding protein are associated with post-stroke delirium - A pilot study

To explore the role of systemic inflammation in post-stroke delirium, we investigated the level of two inflammatory mediators: high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and galectin-3 binding protein (Gal-3BP). Of 571 stroke patients, we compared plasma levels of HMGB1 and Gal-3BP in 79 delirious patients with 81 non-delirious patients matched for age and stroke severity. Delirious patients had higher Gal-3BP level (median: 1440 vs 1053 ng/mL, P < 0.01). An elevated level of Gal-3BP was associated with an increased risk of delirium. HMGB1 levels did not differ between groups. Our results suggest that pro-inflammatory monocytes and macrophages might be involved in delirium pathophysiology.

Association of early and later depressive symptoms with functional outcome after ischemic stroke

Background

Post-stroke depressive symptoms (DS) can be chronic or transient, occurring shortly or long after stroke and lasting only few months. It remains unclear if the prognosis differs between patients with DS in the acute phase of stroke and those who develop DS several months later. We aimed to determine whether outcomes vary among patients with different trajectories of post-stroke depressive symptoms.

Methods

Of 698 enrolled patients with ischemic stroke, we included 335 participants (median age: 68, 48% female) who were assessed for DS both 8 days and 3 months post-stroke. We divided patients into 4 groups: without greater DS (Group 1), only earlier DS (Group 2), only later DS (Group 3), and persistent DS (Group 4). Logistic regression was used to determine the association between DS and 3- and 12-month functional outcome.

Results

Group 2 was predominantly female and had the highest rate of previous stroke or transient ischemic attack. Group 3 was more likely to suffer from delirium and more severe stroke. Group 4 had the highest frequency of vascular risk factors, pre-morbid psychiatric symptoms, and cognitive decline. In multivariate analysis, Group 3, but not Groups 2 and 4, had an increased risk of poor 3- and 12-month functional outcome (adjusted OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.64–4.07, P < 0.01 and OR 3.97, 95% CI 2.32–6.76, P < 0.01, respectively) compared with Group 1.

Conclusions

Different trajectories of post-stroke DS are related to different outcomes. Patients who only have later DS also have the worst prognosis.

Early apathetic, but not depressive, symptoms are associated with poor outcome after stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Depression and apathy are frequent neuropsychiatric disturbances after stroke and may appear together. Despite the overlap in symptoms between poststroke depression and apathy, these two syndromes might be associated with different prognoses and benefit from different treatments. We aimed to disentangle the relationship between early depressive and apathetic symptoms and outcome after stroke.

METHODS

Of 698 enrolled patients with ischemic stroke, we included 443 participants (median age = 69 years, 51% female) who underwent depressive and apathetic symptom assessment on Day 8 after stroke. We divided patients into four groups: without greater depressive and apathetic symptoms (Group 1), with only apathetic symptoms (Group 2), with only depressive symptoms (Group 3), and with both depressive and apathetic symptoms (Group 4).

RESULTS

After adjusting for age and stroke severity, Group 2 and Group 4 had an increased risk of poor 3-month outcome (odds ratio [OR] = 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.16-3.38, p = 0.01 and OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.24-2.01, p < 0.01, respectively). Group 2 and Group 4 also had an increased risk of poor 12-month outcome (OR = 3.85, 95% CI = 2.19-6.78, p < 0.01 and OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.22-1.96, p < 0.01, respectively) and mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.76, 95% CI = 1.19-6.41, p = 0.02 and HR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.32-2.38, p < 0.01, respectively). Compared with Group 1, Group 3 did not have an increased risk of unfavorable outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Early apathetic, but not depressive, symptoms are related to worse outcomes after stroke. Our study underscores the importance of recognizing apathetic symptoms independently from depressive symptoms.

Clinical utility of brain computed tomography in prediction of post-stroke delirium

Delirium is a common and serious complication of stroke. Early prediction of delirium is important for preventive strategies and close monitoring of high-risk patients. Pre-existing degenerative and vascular changes in the brain could predispose to delirium. We aimed to determine if computed tomography (CT)-based indices could provide additional information about a risk of stroke-associated delirium beyond easiest-to-access clinical predictors. Using semi-quantitative scales (global cortical atrophy, age-related white matter changes, and Scheltens scale), we assessed global and regional brain atrophy and white matter changes in 88 stroke patients with delirium and 142 patients without delirium matched for age and stroke severity. Patients with delirium had greater global and local brain atrophy (the right temporal region, the left parieto-occipital region, the right frontal and occipital horn, and the right and left temporal horn) than patients without delirium. Scores of white matter changes did not differ between groups with exception of greater white matter damage in the right parieto-occipital area in patients with delirium. The discriminatory properties of studied radiological indices were modest (areas under receiver operator curves: 0.58-0.64). CT-based indices of brain atrophy and white matter changes do not provide additional information about a risk of post-stroke delirium beyond the most important clinical predictors.

Delirium Post-Stroke-Influence on Post-Stroke Dementia (Research Study-Part of the PROPOLIS Study)

BACKGROUND

Previous research confirmed association between delirium and subsequent dementia in different clinical settings, but the impact of post-stroke delirium on cognitive functioning is still under-investigated. Therefore, we aimed to assess the risk of dementia among patients with stroke and in-hospital delirium.

METHODS

A total of 750 consecutive patients admitted to the stroke unit with acute stroke or transient ischemic attacks were screened for delirium, during the first seven days after admission. At the three- and twelve-month follow-up, patients underwent cognitive evaluation. The DSM-5 definition for dementia was used. Cases with pre-stroke dementia were excluded from the analysis.

RESULTS

Out of 691 included cases, 423 (61.22%) and 451 (65.27%) underwent cognitive evaluation, three and twelve months after stroke; 121 (28.61%) and 151 (33.48%) patients were diagnosed with dementia, respectively. Six (4.96%) patients with dementia, three months post-stroke did not meet the diagnostic criteria for dementia nine months later. After twelve months, 37 (24.50%) patients were diagnosed with dementia, first time after stroke. Delirium in hospital was an independent risk factor for dementia after three months (OR = 7.267, 95%CI 2.182-24.207, p = 0.001) but not twelve months after the stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with stroke complicated by in-hospital delirium are at a higher risk for dementia at three but not twelve months post-stroke.

C-reactive protein and post-stroke depressive symptoms

Our study aimed to explore the association between serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and post-stroke depressive symptoms. We prospectively recruited 572 patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack in whom serum CRP level was measured within 48 h after stroke onset. Depressive symptoms were assessed at day 8 and 3 months after stroke in 405 and 306 patients, respectively. Patients with greater depressive symptoms at day 8 and patients with greater depressive symptoms 3 months after stroke had higher CRP level (median: 7.9 vs 4.3 mg/L, P < 0.01 and 6.7 vs 3.4 mg/L, P = 0.01, respectively). In the univariate analysis, CRP > 9.2 mg/L was associated with depressive symptoms at day 8 (OR: 2.06, 95%CI: 1.30-3.28, P < 0.01) and CRP > 4.3 mg/L was associated with depressive symptoms 3 months after stroke (OR: 1.79, 95%CI: 1.06-3.02, P = 0.03). In the multivariate analysis, higher CRP level was related to depressive symptoms at day 8 (OR: 2.23, 95%CI: 1.28-3.90, P < 0.01), but not depressive symptoms 3 months after stroke (OR: 1.13, 95%CI: 0.59-2.17, P = 0.71). In conclusion, higher levels of CRP are associated with greater depressive symptoms at day 8 after stroke, but their effects on depressive symptoms 3 months after stroke are less significant.

Poststroke Delirium Clinical Motor Subtypes: The PRospective Observational POLIsh Study (PROPOLIS)

OBJECTIVE

Although delirium is the most common neurobehavioral complication after stroke, its motor subtypes-hypoactive, hyperactive, mixed, and none-as well as their risk factors are not well characterized. Motor subtypes influence recognition and prognosis of delirium in hospitalized patients.

METHODS

The aim of this prospective study was to assess the frequency of poststroke delirium subtypes and to describe their predictive models. Consecutive patients with stroke were screened for delirium with the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit. Delirium was diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria, and subtypes were classified with the Delirium Motor Subtype Scale-4. Baseline demographic characteristics, biochemistry, stroke-related data, medications, neurological deficits, and premorbid cognitive and functional impairments were assessed.

RESULTS

Out of 750 patients (mean age, 71.75 years [SD=13.13]), 203 (27.07%) had delirium: 85 (11.34%) were hypoactive, 77 (10.27%) were mixed hypoactive-hyperactive, 31 (4.13%) were hyperactive, and 10 (1.33%) had an unspecified type. Cognitive impairment at the time of hospital admission and spatial neglect, among other factors, were identified as the best predictors for all motor delirium subtypes.

CONCLUSIONS

Screening for poststroke delirium is important because the hypoactive subtype bears the worst prognosis and is misdiagnosed the most compared with other subtypes. All identified factors for the predictive models of delirium subtypes are routinely assessed during hospital admission. Their occurrence in patients with stroke should alert the treating physician to the high risk for a particular delirium subtype.

Could Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) Serve as a Potential Marker for Delirium Prediction in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke? A Prospective Observational Study

Delirium is an acute brain disorder that commonly occurs in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Pathomechanism of delirium is related to the neuroinflammatory process and oxidative stress. Search for readily available diagnostic marker that will aid clinicians in early identification of delirium is ongoing. The aim of this study was to investigate whether neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) could serve as a potential marker for delirium prediction in patients with AIS and to find an easy diagnostic tool using laboratory and clinical parameters to predict delirium. Prospective observational study (NCT03944694) included patients with AIS admitted to the neurology department of a district general hospital. All patients were screened for delirium using CAM-ICU (Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit). Demographic and medical history data and admission lab results, including differential white blood cell analysis, were collected from all patients. We included 1001 patients in the final analysis. The mean age of the sample was 71 years, and 52% of patients were males. The incidence of early-onset delirium was 17.2%. The NLR was elevated in delirious patients (6.39 ± 8.60 vs. 4.61 ± 5.61, p < 0.001). The best cut-off value of NLR to predict delirium using the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) was determined at 4.86. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio (OR) for developing delirium with NLR > 4.86 (adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, and baseline neurology) was 1.875 (95% CI 1.314-2.675, p = 0.001). As a result of different combinations of markers and clinical parameters based on logistic regression, a formula-DELirium in Acute Ischemic Stroke (DELIAS score)-was obtained with the area under the ROC curve of 0.801 (p < 0.001). After regression of the cut-off points of the obtained curve, a significant correlation of the DELIAS score was observed with the occurrence of early-onset delirium (OR = 8.976, p < 0.001) and with delirium until the fifth day after AIS (OR = 7.744, p < 0.001). In conclusion, NLR can be regarded as a potential marker for prediction of early-onset delirium after AIS. On the basis of combined laboratory and clinical parameters, the DELIAS score was calculated, which gave the highest predictive value for delirium in the analyzed group of patients after ischemic stroke. However, further studies are needed to validate these findings.

Subsyndromal delirium is associated with poor functional outcome after ischaemic stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Subsyndromal delirium (SSD) refers to patients with delirious symptoms who do not meet the criteria for delirium. The aim was to determine the prognostic significance of SSD in stroke patients.

METHODS

In all, 564 patients with ischaemic stroke (median age 71 years, 50.5% female) were included. The Confusion Assessment Method was used to assess symptoms of delirium and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edn, criteria were used to diagnose delirium. SSD was defined as one or more core features of delirium without fulfilling diagnostic criteria. Functional outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale at 3 and 12 months after stroke.

RESULTS

Delirium was diagnosed in 23.4% of patients and SSD in 10.3% of patients. SSD was associated with increased risk of poor functional outcome. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for unfavourable outcome at 3 and 12 months were 2.88 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.43-5.79, P < 0.01] and 2.93 (95% CI 1.39-6.22, P < 0.01), respectively. In multivariate analysis, delirium was an independent predictor of poor functional outcome at 3 months (OR 6.41, 95% CI 3.36-12.21, P < 0.01) and 12 months (OR 6.11, 95% CI 3.05-12.27, P < 0.01) after stroke. Delirium was also independently associated with increased risk of death within 3 months (hazard ratio 3.68, 95% CI 1.69-8.02, P < 0.01) and 12 months (hazard ratio 3.76, 95% CI 2.05-6.90, P < 0.01). SSD was not associated with increased risk of death.

CONCLUSIONS

In SSD patients the risk of poor functional outcome after stroke is increased and intermediate between patients with and patients without delirium.

Delirium Monitoring in Neurocritically Ill Patients: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

The Society of Critical Care Medicine recommends routine delirium monitoring, based on data in critically ill patients without primary neurologic injury. We sought to answer whether there are valid and reliable tools to monitor delirium in neurocritically ill patients and whether delirium is associated with relevant clinical outcomes (e.g., survival, length of stay, functional independence, cognition) in this population.

DATA SOURCES

We systematically reviewed Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, and PubMed.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

Inclusion criteria allowed any study design investigating delirium monitoring in neurocritically ill patients (e.g., neurotrauma, ischemic, and/or hemorrhagic stroke) of any age. We extracted data relevant to delirium tool sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, interrater reliability, and associated clinical outcomes.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Among seven prospective cohort studies and a total of 1,173 patients, delirium was assessed in neurocritically patients using validated delirium tools after considering primary neurologic diagnoses and associated complications, finding a pooled prevalence rate of 12-43%. When able to compare against a common reference standard, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, the test characteristics showed a sensitivity of 62-76%, specificity of 74-98%, positive predictive value of 63-91%, negative predictive value of 70-94%, and reliability kappa of 0.64-0.94. Among four studies reporting multivariable analyses, delirium in neurocritically patients was associated with increased hospital length of stay (n = 3) and ICU length of stay (n = 1), as well as worse functional independence (n = 1) and cognition (n = 2), but not survival.

CONCLUSIONS

These data from studies of neurocritically ill patients demonstrate that patients with primary neurologic diagnoses can meet diagnostic criteria for delirium and that delirious features may predict relevant untoward clinical outcomes. There is a need for ongoing investigations regarding delirium in these complicated neurocritically ill patients.

Delirium post-stroke: short- to long-term effect on anxiety and depression compared to effect on cognition

Background Delirium is common after stroke and has significant negative impact on mortality, morbidity, cognitive function, and institutionalization. Despite these known effects, any impact of delirium on the emotional well-being of stroke survivors is unclear. Methods A post hoc analysis was performed on our prospective cohort study of 156 stroke patients. Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale scores were compared between patients with delirium and patients without delirium at 1-month, 6-month, and 12-month post-stroke. Results Contrary to the negative impact of delirium on cognition and functional status, we did not discern any influence on HAD scale scores in the short to long term. The median scores of the HAD anxiety scale were 4 (interquartile range IQR 3) at 1 month, 5.5 (IQR 8.75) at 6 months, and 6 (IQR 5) at 12 months in the delirium group compared to 5 (IQR 7) at 1 month (p = 0.6), 4 (IQR 7) at 6 months (p = 0.4), and 6 (IQR 5.75) at 12 months (p = 0.9) in the non-delirium group, respectively. Similarly, the median scores of the HAD depression scale were 5 (IQR 4) at 1 month, 4 (IQR 6.5) at 6 months, and 3 (IQR 6) at 12 months in the delirium group compared to 6 (IQR 5.75) at 1 month (p = 0.9), 5 (IQR 7) at 6 months (p = 0.9), and 6 (IQR 5) at 12 months (p = 0.5) in the non-delirium group. Conclusion Delirium may not have a significant effect on the development of anxiety or depression after stroke which differs in its effect on cognitive function and functional status.

Pre-stroke apathy symptoms are associated with an increased risk of delirium in stroke patients

Neuropsychiatric symptoms can be interrelated to delirium. We aimed to investigate an association between pre-stroke neuropsychiatric symptoms and the risk of delirium in stroke patients. We included 606 patients (median age: 73, 53% female) with stroke or transient ischemic attack admitted within 48 hours from symptoms onset. We assessed delirium on a daily basis during the first 7 days of hospitalization. To make diagnosis of delirium we used DSM-5 criteria. We used Neuropsychiatric Inventory to assess neuropsychiatric symptoms occurring within 4 weeks prior to stroke. We diagnosed delirium in 28.2% of patients. On univariate analysis, higher score of pre-stroke depression (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.04-2.40, P = 0.03), apathy (OR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.44-3.45, P < 0.01), delusions (OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.09-3.68, P = 0.03), hallucinations (OR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.19-4.81, P = 0.01) and disinhibition (OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.04-4.25, P = 0.04) was associated with the increased risk of delirium. On multivariate analysis adjusted for age, atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, stroke severity, right hemisphere lesion, pre-stroke cognitive decline, pre-stroke disability and infections, higher apathy score (OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.17-3.50, P = 0.01), but no other neuropsychiatric symptoms, remained independent predictor of delirium. We conclude that pre-stroke apathy symptoms are associated with increased risk of delirium in stroke patients.

Cigarette smoking is an independent risk factor for post-stroke delirium

Background

Post-stroke delirium is a common problem in the care of stroke patients, and is associated with longer hospitalization, high short-term mortality, and an increased need for long-term care. Although post-stroke delirium occurs in approximately 10 ~ 30% of patients, little is known about the risk factors for post-stroke delirium in patients who experience acute stroke.

Methods

A total of 576 consecutive patients who experienced ischemic stroke (mean age, 65.2 years; range, 23–93 years) were screened for delirium over a 2-year period in an acute stroke care unit of a tertiary referral hospital. We screened for delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method. Once delirium was suspected, we evaluated the symptoms using the Korean Version of the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98. Neurological deficits were assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at admission and discharge, and functional ability was assessed using the Barthel Index and modified Rankin Scale at discharge and 3 months after discharge.

Results

Thirty-eight (6.7%) patients with stroke developed delirium during admission to the acute stroke care unit. Patients with delirium were significantly older (70.6 vs. 64.9 years of age, P = .001) and smoked cigarettes more frequently (40% vs. 24%, P = .033) than patients without delirium. In terms of clinical features, the delirium group experienced a significantly higher rate of major hemispheric stroke (55% vs. 26%, P < .001), exhibited poorer functional performance at discharge and 3 months after discharge, and stayed in hospital significantly longer. Independent risk factors for delirium were older age, history of cigarette smoking, and major hemispheric stroke.

Conclusion

Abrupt cessation of cigarette smoking may be a risk factor for post-stroke delirium in ischemic stroke patients. The development of delirium after stroke is associated with worse outcome and longer hospitalization.