An empirical study of delirium subtypes

Contemporary Prevention and Management of Postoperative Delirium in Cardiac Surgery Patients

OBJECTIVE

This review examines the prevention and management of postoperative delirium in cardiac surgery patients, a frequent complication linked with significant mortality, morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and cognitive decline. The aim was to consolidate current evidence on postoperative delirium pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnostic approaches, and pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.

METHODS

A PubMed/MEDLINE database review was conducted through October 2024, identifying studies that evaluated the relationship between cardiac surgery and the occurrence of postoperative delirium.

RESULTS

The pathogenesis of postoperative delirium is complex, involving neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter imbalance, and endothelial dysfunction, compounded by baseline vulnerabilities and perioperative stressors. Early screening using tools like the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) and Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) aids in timely detection. Prevention emphasizes non-pharmacologic interventions, such as the Hospital Elder Life Program and the ABCDEF bundle, alongside pharmacologic strategies to minimize high-risk sedatives. Emerging technologies, including intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring modalities and machine learning models, enhance postoperative delirium risk assessment and enable targeted interventions.

CONCLUSION

Effective postoperative delirium management in cardiac surgery requires a balanced approach incorporating non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic methods. Integration of evidence-based practices and innovative technologies into routine care holds promise for improving patient outcomes. Ongoing research is essential to optimize postoperative delirium management and standardize practices in high-risk populations.

Delirium is a Potential Predictor of Unfavorable Long-term Functional Outcomes in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Prospective Observational Study

Purpose

Delirium is an acute fluctuating impairment of attention and awareness, common in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of delirium for neurological function at 3 months post-stroke, and develop a predictive model integrating delirium and biomarkers to enhance prognostic accuracy.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients admitted to the stroke unit (n=722). All patients were screened for daily delirium during clinical care. Plasma biomarkers were measured within 24 hours after admission. The main outcomes were evaluated with the 3-months modified Rankin Scale (mRS).

Results

Delirium developed in 10.2% of patients during the acute phase of stroke. Patients with post-stroke delirium (PSD) was significantly older (median age 74 vs 68 years, P<0.001), more likely to have pre-stroke cognitive impairment (14.9% vs 4.8%, P=0.001), a higher prevalence of cardiovascular history (35.1% vs 16.2%, P<0.001). PSD was also associated with higher scores of NIHSS (14.3 vs 9.1, P<0.001) and greater scores of mRS (3.0 vs 1.5, P<0.001) at admission. PSD patients showed worse outcomes, with elevated NIHSS and mRS scores at discharge and 3-month follow-up, as well as higher mortality rates (5.4% vs 1.4%, P=0.025). Biomarker analysis revealed increased plasma levels of inflammatory (white blood cells, neutrophils, C-reactive protein) and coagulation biomarkers (fibrinogen, D-dimer) in PSD patients, particularly those with poorer outcomes (P<0.01). Our model, which incorporated delirium and biomarkers of inflammation and coagulation dysfunction, demonstrated strong predictive accuracy for adverse outcomes at 3 months with an AUC of 0.779 (95% CI=0.736-0.822), with clinical utility confirmed by decision curve analysis.

Conclusion

PSD is a strong independent predictor of poor 3-month outcomes in AIS, including higher mortality and disability. Our findings highlight the critical role of inflammation and coagulation dysfunction in the pathogenesis of PSD. Furthermore, we present the clinical utility of a predictive model integrating delirium and relevant biomarkers to assess the risk of adverse outcomes at 3 months, suggesting potential targets for intervention.

Effect of thoracic paravertebral nerve block on delirium in patients after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

Nerve blocks are widely used in various surgeries to alleviate postoperative pain and promote recovery. However, the impact of nerve block on delirium remains contentious. This study aims to systematically evaluate the influence of Thoracic Paravertebral Nerve Block (TPVB) on the incidence of delirium in patients post Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS).

Methods

We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases in June 2023. The search strategy combined free-text and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms, including perioperative cognitive dysfunction, delirium, postoperative cognitive dysfunction, paravertebral nerve block, thoracic surgery, lung surgery, pulmonary surgery, and esophageal/esophagus surgery. We utilized a random effects model for the analysis and synthesis of effect sizes.

Results

We included a total of 9 RCTs involving 1,123 participants in our study. In VATS, TPVB significantly reduced the incidence of delirium on postoperative day three (log(OR): -0.62, 95% CI [-1.05, -0.18], p = 0.01, I2 = 0.00%) and postoperative day seven (log(OR): -0.94, 95% CI [-1.39, -0.49], p < 0.001, I2 = 0.00%). Additionally, our study indicates the effectiveness of TPVB in postoperative pain relief (g: -0.82, 95% CI [-1.15, -0.49], p < 0.001, I2 = 72.60%).

Conclusion

The comprehensive results suggest that in patients undergoing VATS, TPVB significantly reduces the incidence of delirium and notably diminishes pain scores.

Systematic review registration

CRD42023435528. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO.

Delirium Knowledge, Risk Factors, and Attitude Among the General Public in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction Delirium is a common and serious neuropsychiatric disorder, of acute onset, present at any age, but more common in older adults, and very common in clinical practice. It combines mental and behavioral symptoms with a fluctuating course, with worsening of the condition in the afternoon and at night, with important repercussions on increased mortality, greater risk of cognitive impairment, and hospitalization costs. Delirium's impact extends to patients, families, and healthcare systems, emphasizing the need for public awareness and education in Saudi Arabia. Methodology It is a cross-sectional conducted in Saudi Arabia that aims to assess knowledge, risk factors, and attitudes regarding delirium among all Saudi and non-Saudi residents aged 18 and older. A 36 self-administered questionnaire, standardized Nordic, was used. Data were cleaned in Microsft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, USA) and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). This study was conducted in Saudi Arabia from May 2023 till March 2024. Results Our study involved 1,470 participants from Saudi Arabia, primarily females (79.1%), Saudi nationals (89.9%), and unmarried individuals (65.4%). Most participants were aged 18-24 (59.5%) and held bachelor's degrees (57.3%). Commonly recognized delirium risk factors included increasing age (63.3%), dementia (58.2%), and longer ICU stays (48.7%). The participants showed moderate knowledge of delirium symptoms and consequences. Attitudes varied, with many agreeing that delirium requires intervention (30.7%) but fewer considering it preventable (17.1%). Sociodemographic factors, including gender and age, significantly influenced knowledge and attitudes, while education levels did not. Conclusion Our study found that gender and age influenced knowledge and attitudes, highlighting the importance of targeted education. Future research should further investigate the effectiveness of such interventions in enhancing knowledge and awareness and promoting preventive actions.

Exploring the Pathophysiology of Delirium: An Overview of Biomarker Studies, Animal Models, and Tissue-Engineered Models

Delirium is an acute brain disorder associated with disorganized thinking, difficulty focusing, and confusion that commonly follows major surgery, severe infection, and illness. Older patients are at high risk for developing delirium during hospitalization, which may contribute to increased morbidity, longer hospitalization, and increased risk of institutionalization following discharge. The pathophysiology underlying delirium remains poorly studied. This review delves into the findings from biomarker studies and animal models, and highlights the potential for tissue-engineered models of the brain in studying this condition. The aim is to bring together the existing knowledge in the field and provide insight into the future direction of delirium research.

Natural language processing diagnosed behavioural disturbance phenotypes in the intensive care unit: characteristics, prevalence, trajectory, treatment, and outcomes

BACKGROUND

Natural language processing (NLP) may help evaluate the characteristics, prevalence, trajectory, treatment, and outcomes of behavioural disturbance phenotypes in critically ill patients.

METHODS

We obtained electronic clinical notes, demographic information, outcomes, and treatment data from three medical-surgical ICUs. Using NLP, we screened for behavioural disturbance phenotypes based on words suggestive of an agitated state, a non-agitated state, or a combination of both.

RESULTS

We studied 2931 patients. Of these, 225 (7.7%) were NLP-Dx-BD positive for the agitated phenotype, 544 (18.6%) for the non-agitated phenotype and 667 (22.7%) for the combined phenotype. Patients with these phenotypes carried multiple clinical baseline differences. On time-dependent multivariable analysis to compensate for immortal time bias and after adjustment for key outcome predictors, agitated phenotype patients were more likely to receive antipsychotic medications (odds ratio [OR] 1.84, 1.35-2.51, p < 0.001) compared to non-agitated phenotype patients but not compared to combined phenotype patients (OR 1.27, 0.86-1.89, p = 0.229). Moreover, agitated phenotype patients were more likely to die than other phenotypes patients (OR 1.57, 1.10-2.25, p = 0.012 vs non-agitated phenotype; OR 4.61, 2.14-9.90, p < 0.001 vs. combined phenotype). This association was strongest in patients receiving mechanical ventilation when compared with the combined phenotype (OR 7.03, 2.07-23.79, p = 0.002). A similar increased risk was also seen for patients with the non-agitated phenotype compared with the combined phenotype (OR 6.10, 1.80-20.64, p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

NLP-Dx-BD screening enabled identification of three behavioural disturbance phenotypes with different characteristics, prevalence, trajectory, treatment, and outcome. Such phenotype identification appears relevant to prognostication and trial design.

Factors Associated with Improvement in Activities of Daily Living during Hospitalization: A Retrospective Study of Older Patients with Hip Fractures

BACKGROUND

In this study, we aimed to examine the changes in delirium during hospitalization of patients and its association with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), as well as improvements in activities of daily living (ADL).

METHODS

A longitudinal, retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 83 older adults (≥65 years) with hip fractures. We collected Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Functional Independence Measure-motor domain (m-FIM) assessment results from the medical charts at two time points: baseline (first week of hospitalization) and pre-discharge (final week before discharge). Additionally, we collected data on delirium and BPSD at three points: baseline, week 2 post-admission, and pre-discharge. We performed univariate logistic regression analysis using changes in m-FIM scores as the dependent variable and MMSE and m-FIM scores at baseline and pre-discharge, along with delirium and BPSD subtypes at baseline, week 2 post-admission, and pre-discharge, as the explanatory variables. Finally, we performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis incorporating the significant variables from the univariate analysis to identify factors associated with ADL improvement during hospitalization.

RESULTS

We observed significant correlations between ADL improvement during hospitalization and baseline m-FIM and MMSE scores, hypoactive delirium state, and BPSD subtype pre-discharge. Notably, all participants with hypoactive symptoms before discharge exhibited some subtype of delirium and BPSD at baseline.

CONCLUSION

Besides ADL ability and cognitive function at admission, the presence of hypoactive delirium and BPSD subtype before discharge may hinder ADL improvement during hospitalization.

ICU Delirium in Cardiac Patients

Delirium is a prevalent complication in critically ill medical and surgical cardiac patients. It is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospitalizations, cognitive impairments, functional decline, and hospital costs. The incidence of delirium in cardiac patients varies based on the criteria used for the diagnosis, the population studied, and the type of surgery (cardiac or not cardiac). Delirium experienced when cardiac patients are in the intensive care unit (ICU) is likely preventable in most cases. While there are many protocols for recognizing and managing ICU delirium in medical and surgical cardiac patients, there is no homogeneity, nor are there established clinical guidelines. This review provides a comprehensive overview of delirium in cardiac patients and highlights its presentation, course, risk factors, pathophysiology, and management. We define cardiac ICU patients as both medical and postoperative surgical patients with cardiac disease in the ICU. We also highlight current controversies and future considerations of innovative therapies and nonpharmacological and pharmacological management interventions. Clinicians caring for critically ill patients with cardiac disease must understand the complex syndrome of ICU delirium and recognize the impact of delirium in predicting long-term outcomes for ICU patients.

Post-stroke delirium and challenges for the rehabilitation setting: A narrative review

INTRODUCTION

Post-stroke delirium (PSD) is a common yet underrecognized complication following stroke, with its effect on stroke rehabilitation being the subject of limited attention. The objective of this narrative review is to provide an overview of core issues in PSD including epidemiology, diagnostic challenges, and management considerations, with an emphasis on the rehabilitation phase.

METHODS

Ovid Medline and Google Scholar were searched through February 2023 using keywords related to delirium, rehabilitation, and the post-stroke period. Only studies conducted on adults (≥18 years) and written in the English language were included.

RESULTS

PSD affects approximately 25% of stroke patients, and often persists well into the post-acute phase, with a negative impact on rehabilitation outcomes including lengths of stay, function, and cognition. Certain stroke and patient characteristics can help predict risk for PSD. The diagnosis of delirium becomes more challenging when superimposed on stroke deficits (such as attentional impairment or other cognitive, psychiatric, or behavioural disorders), leading to underdiagnosis, overdiagnosis, or misdiagnosis. Particularly in patients with post-stroke language or cognitive disorders, common screening tools are less accurate. The multidisciplinary rehabilitation team should be involved in management of PSD as rehabilitative activities can be beneficial for patients who can participate safely. Addressing barriers to effective delirium care at various levels of the health care system can improve rehabilitation trajectories for these patients.

CONCLUSIONS

PSD is a disease entity commonly encountered in the rehabilitation setting, but it is challenging to diagnose and manage. New delirium screening tools and management approaches specific for the post-stroke and rehabilitation settings are needed.

Documentation and diagnosis of delirium in Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVE

To assess the accuracy of documentation of the symptoms and diagnosis of delirium in medical notes of inpatients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODS

The DETERMINE-PD pilot study assessed PD inpatients over 4-months. Delirium prevalence was classified prospectively using a standardized assessment at a single visit on the basis of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5) criteria. Incident delirium was diagnosed retrospectively using detailed clinical vignettes and validated consensus method. Inpatient medical notes and discharge summaries of those with delirium were reviewed for documentation of symptoms, diagnosis and follow-up.

RESULTS

Forty-four PD patients consented to take part in the study, accounting for 53 admissions. We identified 30 cases (56.6%) of delirium during the participants' stay in hospital. Of those with delirium identified by the research team, delirium symptoms were documented in the clinical notes of 72.3%; 37.9% had a delirium diagnosis documented. Older patients were more likely to have delirium (p = 0.027) and have this diagnosis documented (p = 0.034). Time from documentation of symptoms to diagnosis ranged from <24 h to 7 days (mean 1.6 ± 4.4 days). Hypoactive delirium was significantly less likely to have been identified and formally diagnosed (63% of not documented were hypoactive vs. 37% hyperactive, mixed or unclear, p = 0.016). Only 11.5% of discharge summaries included diagnosis of delirium.

CONCLUSION

Delirium in PD is common. Documentation of symptoms of delirium was common; however, fails to lead to a documentation of diagnosis in over half of admissions with delirium and was even less commonly communicated in the Primary Care discharge summaries. This highlights the need for increased education about delirium symptomatology and diagnosis in PD.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward delirium and subtype assessment among Chinese clinical nurses and determinant factors: A multicentre cross-section study

Background

Delirium, a confused transient state of consciousness, can be divided into hyperactive, hypoactive, mixed, and no motor subtypes, according to different clinical manifestations. Several studies have investigated delirium subtypes in the knowledge dimension, but few studies have investigated delirium subtype in the attitude and practice dimensions. The barriers, knowledge sources, and practice details regarding subtype assessment are unclear.

Objectives

This study had three objectives. First, we planned to investigate the KAP status regarding delirium and subtypes for nurses. Second, we wanted to identify factors affecting clinical nurses' KAP scores. Third, this study expected to explore more details regarding delirium and subtypes assessment, including assessment barriers, assessment instruments, and knowledge sources.

Methods

This multicentre cross-section study was conducted in 10 tertiary hospitals in three provinces, China, from January to April 2022. We investigated 477 nurses from six departments with a high prevalence. The self-developed KAP questionnaire regarding delirium and subtypes assessment had four parts: knowledge, attitude, practice, and source. Its reliability and validity were verified effectively by 2-round Delphi expert consultation.

Results

A total of 477 nurses from the general intensive care unit (ICU), specialty ICU, orthopedics, thoracic surgery, operating room, and geriatrics were 28.3, 22.4, 22.2, 10.5, and 5.2%, respectively. The total KAP score regarding delirium and subtypes assessment was 60.01 ± 6.98, and the scoring rate was 73.18%. The scoring rate for knowledge, attitude, and practice was 58.55, 83.94, and 51.70%, respectively. More than half (54.1%) were unaware of the delirium subtypes assessment instruments. A total of 451 (94.6%) participants recognized the importance of nursing work for delirium prevention. A total of 250 (52.4%) nurses occasionally or sometimes assessed delirium subtypes, and 143 (30.0%) never assessed for delirium subtypes. We found that age, department, technical title, familiarity with delirium, familiarity with delirium subtypes, delirium training, and subtype training affected the total KAP scores. ICU nurses achieved the highest scores.

Conclusion

Chinese nurses' KAP status regarding delirium and subtypes assessment were barely acceptable, and the attitude score was positive, but knowledge and practice needed improvement. Meanwhile, the department was one of the significant KAP factors, and ICU nurses did better in delirium and subtype assessment in knowledge and practice dimension than other departments. Systematic and scientific training processes including subtype content and assessment tools are required. Experience still drives nurses' assessments of delirium and subtype. Adding the delirium assessment into routine tasks should be considered.

Predisposing and Precipitating Factors Associated With Delirium: A Systematic Review

Importance

Despite discrete etiologies leading to delirium, it is treated as a common end point in hospital and in clinical trials, and delirium research may be hampered by the attempt to treat all instances of delirium similarly, leaving delirium management as an unmet need. An individualized approach based on unique patterns of delirium pathophysiology, as reflected in predisposing factors and precipitants, may be necessary, but there exists no accepted method of grouping delirium into distinct etiologic subgroups.

Objective

To conduct a systematic review to identify potential predisposing and precipitating factors associated with delirium in adult patients agnostic to setting.

Evidence Review

A literature search was performed of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and PsycINFO from database inception to December 2021 using search Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms consciousness disorders, confusion, causality, and disease susceptibility, with constraints of cohort or case-control studies. Two reviewers selected studies that met the following criteria for inclusion: published in English, prospective cohort or case-control study, at least 50 participants, delirium assessment in person by a physician or trained research personnel using a reference standard, and results including a multivariable model to identify independent factors associated with delirium.

Findings

A total of 315 studies were included with a mean (SD) Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score of 8.3 (0.8) out of 9. Across 101 144 patients (50 006 [50.0%] male and 49 766 [49.1%] female patients) represented (24 015 with delirium), studies reported 33 predisposing and 112 precipitating factors associated with delirium. There was a diversity of factors associated with delirium, with substantial physiological heterogeneity.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this systematic review, a comprehensive list of potential predisposing and precipitating factors associated with delirium was found across all clinical settings. These findings may be used to inform more precise study of delirium's heterogeneous pathophysiology and treatment.

Hospitalisation costs and health related quality of life in delirious patients: a scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Delirium is a common condition of a global disturbance of cognition, triggered by underlying diseases. The objective of this study is to review the current evidence in the literature on direct healthcare costs and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) associated with delirium.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Embase for relevant studies published between January 1, 2010 and November 4, 2021. Studies for inclusion reported estimates on healthcare costs or HRQOL, adjusted for relevant confounding factors.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies on healthcare costs and eleven studies on HRQOL were included. Delirium resulted in (adjusted) increased costs ranging from $1,532 to $22,269 depending on included cost categories, the country and the type of hospital department. Increased length of stay for delirious patients ranged from 2.5 days to 10.4 days and had the largest contribution to overall, direct incremental costs. Heterogeneity was observed in HRQOL outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The analysis indicates that the presence of a delirium episode may lead to increased costs of hospitalisation. Changes in HRQOL due to delirium are not well demonstrated and more research is needed to determine the effect of delirium on HRQOL.

Distribution of delirium motor subtypes in the intensive care unit: a systematic scoping review

BACKGROUND

Delirium is the most common cerebral dysfunction in the intensive care unit (ICU) and can be subdivided into a hypoactive, hyperactive, or mixed motor subtype based on the clinical manifestation. The aim of this review was to describe the distribution, pharmacological interventions, and outcomes of delirium motor subtypes in ICU patients.

METHODS

This systematic scoping review was performed according to the PRISMA-ScR and Cochrane guidelines. We performed a systematic search in six major databases to identify relevant studies. A meta-regression analysis was performed where pooled estimates with 95% confidence intervals were computed by a random effect model.

RESULTS

We included 131 studies comprising 13,902 delirious patients. There was a large between-study heterogeneity among studies, including differences in study design, setting, population, and outcome reporting. Hypoactive delirium was the most prevalent delirium motor subtype (50.3% [95% CI 46.0-54.7]), followed by mixed delirium (27.7% [95% CI 24.1-31.3]) and hyperactive delirium (22.7% [95% CI 19.0-26.5]). When comparing the delirium motor subtypes, patients with mixed delirium experienced the longest delirium duration, ICU and hospital length of stay, the highest ICU and hospital mortality, and more frequently received administration of specific agents (antipsychotics, α2-agonists, benzodiazepines, and propofol) during ICU stay. In studies with high average age for delirious patients (> 65 years), patients were more likely to experience hypoactive delirium.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypoactive delirium was the most prevalent motor subtype in critically ill patients. Mixed delirium had the worst outcomes in terms of delirium duration, length of stay, and mortality, and received more pharmacological interventions compared to other delirium motor subtypes. Few studies contributed to secondary outcomes; hence, these results should be interpreted with care. The large between-study heterogeneity suggests that a more standardized methodology in delirium research is warranted.

The family in preventing delirium in the intensive care unit: Scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Delirium is cognitive impairment related to negative inpatient outcomes in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), family interventions have been shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of this condition.

OBJECTIVE

To identify strategies that include the family in the prevention of delirium in the adult intensive care unit that can be integrated into ABCDEF.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Studies describing actions and interventions involving caregivers and family members in the ICU for the prevention of delirium, conducted in the last five years, available in full text, in English and Spanish, Portuguese and in adults.

METHODS

A scope review was conducted using the keywords "Critical Care, Delirium, Family, Primary Prevention" in 11 databases (PubMed, Virtual Health Library, Cochrane Library, TRIP Data base, EBSCO, Ovid Nursing, Springer, Scopus, Dialnet, Scielo, Lilacs) and other sources (Open Gray, Google Scholar), between August - October 2019; 8 studies were considered relevant and were analysed.

RESULTS

The results were described in 3 categories: flexibility vs. restriction of visits in the ICU, Reorientation as a prevention strategy and post-ICU syndrome in the family.

CONCLUSION

Extended visits, development of family-mediated activities, and redirection are non-pharmacological strategies that reduce the incidence of delirium in the ICU and offer multiple benefits to the patient and family/caregiver.

Prevalence, classification, risk factors and outcome impact of delirium in patients with COVID-19: a meta-analysis protocol for systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Previous studies have shown mixed results that delirium may result in a high risk of adverse clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. The aim of this meta-analysis is to summarise the evidence of prevalence, classification, risk factors and outcomes impact of delirium in adult patients with COVID-19.

METHODS

A systematic search will be performed in PubMed, EMBase, ISI Knowledge via Web of Science and preprint databases (MedRxiv and BioRxiv) (from inception until June 2021) to identify all cohort studies concerning delirium in adult patients with COVID-19. The primary outcome will be the prevalence of delirium with different classifications (hyperactive, hypoactive or mixed type). The secondary outcomes will include the association of risk factors and the association with all-cause mortality during hospitalisation. Univariable or multivariable meta-regression and subgroup analyses will be conducted for the study design and patient characteristics. Sensitivity analyses were used to assess the robustness of our results by removing each included study at one time to obtain and evaluate the remaining overall estimates of primary and secondary outcomes.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval is not an essential element for the systematic review protocol in accordance with the Institutional Review Board /Independent Ethics Committee of Beijing Hospital. This meta-analysis will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020224871.

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.

Evaluation and Management of Delirium

Delirium, sometimes referred to as encephalopathy, is an acute confusional state that is both common in hospitalized patients and associated with poor outcomes. For patients, families, and caregivers, delirium can be a traumatic experience. While delirium is one of the most common diagnoses encountered by the consulting neurologist, the majority of the time it will have been previously unrecognized as such by the care team. Neurologic syndromes such as dementia or aphasia can either be misdiagnosed as delirium or may coexist with it, necessitating careful neurologic assessment. Once the diagnosis of delirium has been established, a careful evaluation for predisposing and precipitating factors can help uncover modifiable contributors, which should be addressed as part of a multicomponent, primarily nonpharmacologic intervention. Importantly, delirium management, which begins with comprehensive prevention, should emphasize the humanity of the delirious patient and the challenges of caring for this vulnerable population. When considered, delirium represents an important opportunity for the neurologist to substantially enhance patient care.

Phenotypes and subphenotypes of delirium: a review of current categorisations and suggestions for progression

Delirium is a clinical syndrome occurring in heterogeneous patient populations. It affects 45-87% of critical care patients and is often associated with adverse outcomes including acquired dementia, institutionalisation, and death. Despite an exponential increase in delirium research in recent years, the pathophysiological mechanisms resulting in the clinical presentation of delirium are still hypotheses. Efforts have been made to categorise the delirium spectrum into clinically meaningful subgroups (subphenotypes), using psychomotor subtypes such as hypoactive, hyperactive, and mixed, for example, and also inflammatory and non-inflammatory delirium. Delirium remains, however, a constellation of symptoms resulting from a variety of risk factors and precipitants with currently no successful targeted pharmacological treatment. Identifying specific clinical and biological subphenotypes will greatly improve understanding of the relationship between the clinical symptoms and the putative pathways and thus risk factors, precipitants, natural history, and biological mechanism. This will facilitate risk factor mitigation, identification of potential methods for interventional studies, and informed patient and family counselling. Here, we review evidence to date and propose a framework to identify subphenotypes. Endotype identification may be done by clustering symptoms with their biological mechanism, which will facilitate research of targeted treatments. In order to achieve identification of delirium subphenotypes, the following steps must be taken: (1) robust records of symptoms must be kept at a clinical level. (2) Global collaboration must facilitate large, heterogeneous research cohorts. (3) Patients must be clustered for identification, validation, and mapping of subphenotype stability.

Psychiatric Clinical Profiles and Pharmacological Interactions in COVID-19 Inpatients Referred to a Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Unit: a Cross-Sectional Study

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) can affect mental health in different ways. There is little research about psychiatric complications in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The aim of the study was to describe the psychiatric clinical profile and pharmacological interactions in COVID-19 inpatients referred to a Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (CLP) unit. This is a cross-sectional study, carried out at a tertiary hospital in Spain, in inpatients admitted because of COVID-19 and referred to our CLP Unit from March 17,2020 to April 28,2020. Clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records. The patients were divided in three groups depending on psychiatric diagnosis: delirium, severe mental illness (SMI) and non-severe mental illness (NSMI). Of 71 patients included (median [ICR] age 64 [54-73] years; 70.4% male), 35.2% had a delirium, 18.3% had a SMI, and 46.5% had a NSMI. Compared to patients with delirium and NSMI, patients with SMI were younger, more likely to be institutionalized and were administered less anti-COVID19 drugs. Mortality was higher among patients with delirium (21.7%) than those with SMI (0%) or NSMI (9.45%). The rate of side effects due to interactions between anti-COVID19 and psychiatric drugs was low, mainly drowsiness (4.3%) and borderline QTc prolongation (1.5%). Patients affected by SMI were more often undertreated for COVID-19. However, the rate of interactions was very low, and avoidable with a proper evaluation and drug-dose adjustment. Half of the patients with SMI were institutionalized, suggesting that living conditions in residential facilities could make them more vulnerable to infection.

Where should patients with or at risk of delirium be treated in an acute care system? Comparing the rates of delirium in patients receiving usual care vs alternative care: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Delirium is an acute condition that occurs in hospitalised patients and leads to poor patient outcomes that can last long term. Therefore, the importance of prevention is undeniable and adopting new models of care for at-risk patients should be prioritised.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review and meta-analysis will assess the effectiveness of different interventions designed to prevent or manage delirium in acutely unwell hospitalised patients.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, OpenGrey, Web of Science and reference lists of journals were searched. Eligible studies reported on incidence or duration of delirium, used a validated delirium diagnostic tool and compared an intervention to either a control or another intervention group. Meta-analyses were conducted, and GRADEpro software was used to assess the certainty of evidence. This review is registered on PROSPERO.

RESULTS

A total of 59 studies were included and 33 were eligible for meta-analysis. Delirium incidence was most significantly reduced by non-pharmacological multicomponent interventions compared with usual care, with pooled risk ratios of 0.57 (95% CI: 0.44 to 0.73, 10 randomised controlled trials) and 0.47 (95% CI: 0.35 to 0.64, six observational studies). Single-component interventions did not significantly reduce delirium incidence compared with usual care in seven randomised trials (risk ratio = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.81 to 1.04). The most effective single-component intervention in reducing delirium incidence was a hospital-at-home intervention (risk ratio = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.87).

CONCLUSIONS

Non-pharmacological multicomponent interventions are effective in preventing delirium; however, the same cannot be said for other interventions because of uncertain results. There is some evidence that providing multicomponent interventions in patients' homes is more effective than in a hospital setting. Therefore, researching the benefits of hospital-at-home interventions in delirium prevention is recommended.

Delirium and long term cognition in critically ill patients

Delirium, a form of acute brain dysfunction, is very common in the critically ill adult patient population. Although its pathophysiology is poorly understood, multiple factors associated with delirium have been identified, many of which are coincident with critical illness. To date, no drug or non-drug treatments have been shown to improve outcomes in patients with delirium. Clinical trials have provided a limited understanding of the contributions of multiple triggers and processes of intensive care unit (ICU) acquired delirium, making identification of therapies difficult. Delirium is independently associated with poor long term outcomes, including persistent cognitive impairment. A longer duration of delirium is associated with worse long term cognition after adjustment for age, education, pre-existing cognitive function, severity of illness, and exposure to sedatives. Interestingly, differences in prevalence are seen between ICU survivor populations, with survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome experiencing higher rates of cognitive impairment at early follow-up compared with mixed ICU survivor populations. Although cognitive performance improves over time for some ICU survivors, impairment is persistent in others. Studies have so far been unable to identify patients at higher risk of long term cognitive impairment; this is an active area of scientific investigation.

Association Between Postoperative Long-Term Heart Rate Variability and Postoperative Delirium in Elderly Patients Undergoing Orthopedic Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common complication after orthopedic surgery in elderly patients. The elderly may experience drastic changes in autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity and circadian rhythm disorders after surgery. Therefore, we intend to explore the relationship between postoperative long-term heart rate (HR) variability (HRV), as a measure of ANS activity and circadian rhythm, and occurrence of POD in elderly patients.

Methods

The study population of this cohort was elderly patients over 60 years of age who scheduled for orthopedic surgery under spinal anesthesia. Patients were screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria before surgery. Then, participants were invited to wear a Holter monitor on the first postoperative day to collect 24-h electrocardiographic (ECG) data. Parameters in the time domain [the standard deviation of the normal-to-normal (NN) intervals (SDNN), mean of the standard deviations of all the NN intervals for each 5-min segment of a 24-h HRV recording (SDNNI), and the root mean square of successive differences of the NN intervals (RMSSD)] and frequency domain [heart rate (HR), high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF), very low frequency (VLF), ultra low frequency (ULF), and total power (TP)] were calculated. Assessment of delirium was performed daily up to the seventh postoperative day using the Chinese version of the 3-Min Diagnostic Interview for CAM-defined Delirium (3D-CAM). The relationship between HRV and POD, as well as the association between HRV and duration of POD, was assessed.

Results

Of the 294 cases that finally completed the follow-up, 60 cases developed POD. Among the HRV parameters, SDNNI, VLF, and ULF were related to the occurrence of POD. After adjustment for potential confounders, the correlation between HRV indices and POD disappeared. Through stratified analysis, two significant negative correlations emerged: ULF in young-old participants and SDNNI, VLF, and ULF in male patients.

Conclusion

The lower HRV parameters may be related to the occurrence of POD, and this correlation is more significant in young-old and male patients. ANS disorders and rhythm abnormalities reflected by HRV changes may represent a possible mechanism that promotes POD.

Association of Hypoactive and Hyperactive Delirium With Cognitive Function After Critical Illness

OBJECTIVES

Delirium, a heterogenous syndrome, is associated with worse long-term cognition after critical illness. We sought to determine if duration of motoric subtypes of delirium are associated with worse cognition.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of prospective multicenter cohort study.

SETTING

Academic, community, and Veteran Affairs hospitals.

PATIENTS

Five-hundred eighty-two survivors of respiratory failure or shock.

INTERVENTIONS

We assessed delirium and level of consciousness using the Confusion Assessment Method-ICU and Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale daily during hospitalization. We defined a day with hypoactive delirium as a day with positive Confusion Assessment Method-ICU and corresponding Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale score less than or equal to 0 and a day with hyperactive delirium as a day with positive Confusion Assessment Method-ICU and corresponding Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale score greater than 0. At 3 and 12 months, we assessed global cognition with the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neurologic Status and executive function with the Trail Making Test Part B. We used multivariable regression to examine the associations between days of hypoactive and hyperactive delirium with cognition outcomes. We allowed for interaction between days of hypoactive and hyperactive delirium and adjusted for baseline and in-hospital covariates.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Hypoactive delirium was more common and persistent than hyperactive delirium (71% vs 17%; median 3 vs 1 d). Longer duration of hypoactive delirium was associated with worse global cognition at 3 (-5.13 [-8.75 to -1.51]; p = 0.03) but not 12 (-5.76 [-9.99 to -1.53]; p = 0.08) months and with worse executive functioning at 3 (-3.61 [-7.48 to 0.26]; p = 0.03) and 12 (-6.22 [-10.12 to -2.33]; p = 0.004) months; these associations were not modified by hyperactive delirium. Hyperactive delirium was not associated with global cognition or executive function in this cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Longer duration of hypoactive delirium was independently associated with worse long-term cognition. Assessing motoric subtypes of delirium in the ICU might aid in prognosis and intervention allocation. Future studies should consider delineating motoric subtypes of delirium.

Motoric Subtypes of Delirium and Long-Term Functional and Mental Health Outcomes in Adults After Critical Illness

OBJECTIVES

Adult ICU survivors that experience delirium are at high risk for developing new functional disabilities and mental health disorders. We sought to determine if individual motoric subtypes of delirium are associated with worse disability, depression, and/or post-traumatic stress disorder in ICU survivors.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of a prospective multicenter cohort study.

SETTING

Academic, community, and Veteran Affairs hospitals.

PATIENTS

Adult ICU survivors of respiratory failure and/or shock.

INTERVENTIONS

We assessed delirium and level of consciousness using the Confusion Assessment Method-ICU and Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale daily during hospitalization. We classified delirium as hypoactive (Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale ≤ 0) or hyperactive (Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale > 0). At 3- and 12-month postdischarge, we assessed for dependence in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, symptoms of depression, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Adjusting for baseline and inhospital covariates, multivariable regression examined the association of exposure to delirium motoric subtype and long-term outcomes.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

In our cohort of 556 adults with a median age of 62 years, hypoactive delirium was more common than hyperactive (68.9% vs 16.8%). Dependence on the activities of daily living was present in 37% at 3 months and 31% at 12 months, whereas dependence on instrumental activities of daily living was present in 63% at 3 months and 56% at 12 months. At both time points, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder rates were constant at 36% and 5%, respectively. Each additional day of hypoactive delirium was associated with higher instrumental activities of daily living dependence at 3 months only (0.24 points [95% CI, 0.07-0.41; p = 0.006]). There were no associations between the motoric delirium subtype and activities of daily living dependence, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

Longer duration of hypoactive delirium, but not hyperactive, was associated with a minimal increase in early instrumental activities of daily living dependence scores in adult survivors of critical illness. Motoric delirium subtype was neither associated with early or late activities of daily living functional dependence or mental health outcomes, nor late instrumental activities of daily living functional dependence.

The family in preventing delirium in the intensive care unit: Scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Delirium is cognitive impairment related to negative inpatient outcomes in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), family interventions have been shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of this condition.

OBJECTIVE

To identify strategies that include the family in the prevention of delirium in the adult intensive care unit that can be integrated into ABCDEF.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Studies describing actions and interventions involving caregivers and family members in the ICU for the prevention of delirium, conducted in the last five years, available in full text, in English and Spanish, Portuguese and in adults.

METHODS

A scope review was conducted using the keywords "Critical Care, Delirium, Family, Primary Prevention" in 11 databases (PubMed, Virtual Health Library, Cochrane Library, TRIP Data base, EBSCO, Ovid Nursing, Springer, Scopus, Dialnet, Scielo, Lilacs) and other sources (Open Gray, Google Scholar), between August - October 2019; 8 studies were considered relevant and were analysed.

RESULTS

The results were described in 3 categories: flexibility vs. restriction of visits in the ICU, Reorientation as a prevention strategy and post-ICU syndrome in the family.

CONCLUSION

Extended visits, development of family-mediated activities, and redirection are non-pharmacological strategies that reduce the incidence of delirium in the ICU and offer multiple benefits to the patient and family/caregiver.

Does Delirium Phenomenology in Persons with Advanced Cancer Follow a Specific Pattern?

Objective: Recognizing delirium phenomenology (DP) aids the early diagnosis of this syndrome and improves quality of life in patients with advanced cancer. The aim of this study was to identify the neurobehavioral and cognitive patterns of delirium-related symptoms in persons with advanced cancer. Methods: We conducted an observational comparative prospective study on delirium in patients with advanced cancer in different palliative care settings, assessing the presentation/evolution of DP with the Memorial delirium assessment scale (MDAS). Results: Two hundred twenty-seven patients were enrolled on hospital/hospice admission. Of these, 57 were admitted with delirium, 170 without delirium, and 31 developed delirium during hospitalization. Of the 88 patients admitted with delirium or who developed it during hospitalization, only 32 underwent two consecutive MDAS evaluations (at diagnosis and after one week). Delirium resolved in 22 patients (first average MDAS score 10.08 vs. second 3.6 [p < 0.001]). Disorientation, short-term memory, and memory span were altered in all patients with unresolved delirium. The same features were altered in 18 (80%), 17 (80%), and 16 (70%) of the patients with resolved delirium, respectively, and in 58 (35%), 114 (67%), and 38 (23%) of no-delirium patients, respectively. Conclusion: Cognitive-related symptoms appear to be the most prevalent and earliest signs of DP in patients with advanced cancer.

How do delirium motor subtypes differ in phenomenology and contributory aetiology? a cross-sectional, multisite study of liaison psychiatry and palliative care patients

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether delirium motor subtypes differ in terms of phenomenology and contributory aetiology.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

International study incorporating data from Ireland and India across palliative care, old age liaison psychiatry and general adult liaison psychiatry settings.

PARTICIPANTS

1757 patients diagnosed with delirium using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth edition (DSM IV).

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Hyperactive, mixed and hypoactive delirium subtypes were identified using the abbreviated version of the Delirium Motor Subtype Scale. Phenomenology was assessed using the Delirium Rating Scale Revised. Contributory aetiologies were assessed using the Delirium Aetiology Checklist (DEC), with a score >2 indicating that the aetiology was likely or definitely contributory.

RESULTS

Hypoactive delirium was associated with dementia, cerebrovascular and systemic infection aetiologies (p<0.001) and had a lower overall burden of delirium symptoms than the other motor subtypes. Hyperactive delirium was associated with younger age, drug withdrawal and the DEC category other systemic aetiologies (p<0.001). Mixed delirium showed the greatest symptom burden and was more often associated with drug intoxication and metabolic disturbance (p<0.001). All three delirium motor subtypes had similar levels of impairment in attention and visuospatial functioning but differed significantly when compared with no subtype (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates a pattern of aetiology and symptomatology of delirium motor subtypes across a large international sample that had previously been lacking. It serves to improve our understanding of this complex condition and has implications in terms of early detection and management of delirium.

Increased Emergency Department Hallway Length of Stay is Associated with Development of Delirium

Introduction

Our study aimed to determine 1) the association between time spent in the emergency department (ED) hallway and the development of delirium and 2) the hospital location of delirium development.

Methods

This single-center, retrospective chart review included patients 18+ years old admitted to the hospital after presenting, without baseline cognitive impairment, to the ED in 2018. We identified the Delirium group by the following: key words describing delirium; orders for psychotropics, special observation, and restraints; or documented positive Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) screen. The Control group included patients not meeting delirium criteria. We used a multivariable logistic regression model, while adjusting for confounders, to assess the odds of delirium development associated with percentage of ED LOS spent in the hallway.

Results

A total of 25,156 patients met inclusion criteria with 1920 (7.6%) meeting delirium criteria. Delirium group vs. Control group patients spent a greater percentage of time in the ED hallway (median 50.5% vs 10.8%, P<0.001); had longer ED LOS (median 11.94 vs 8.12 hours, P<0.001); had more ED room transfers (median 5 vs 4, P<0.001); and had longer hospital LOS (median 5.0 vs 4.6 days, P<0.001). Patients more frequently developed delirium in the ED (77.5%) than on inpatient units (22.5%). The relative odds of a patient developing delirium increased by 3.31 times for each percent increase in ED hallway time (95% confidence interval, 2.85, 3.83).

Conclusion

Patients with delirium had more ED hallway exposure, longer ED LOS, and more ED room transfers. Understanding delirium in the ED has substantial implications for improving patient safety.

Pharmacologic Treatment for Hypoactive Delirium in Adult Patients: A Brief Report of the Literature

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this report was to identify medications that can be used to treat hypoactive delirium.

DESIGN

A systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science from inception through September 20, 2020.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Reports evaluating different pharmacologic treatments for hypoactive delirium in adults (age 18 years and older) and geriatric patients were included.

METHODS

Three independent investigators reviewed the abstracts, using the Rayyan QCRI review tool to decide which articles were eligible for inclusion. Hereafter, articles were read completely for final inclusion. Study quality was assessed using the guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for cohort studies and randomized control trials.

RESULTS

Of the 52 relevant articles, only 4 (8%) met the selection criteria. Two were cohort studies whereas the other 2 were randomized control trials. After further review, one of the reports was excluded because the same data were used as in one of the randomized control trials. In total, 4 different pharmacologic therapies were used in the selected studies: haloperidol, ziprasidone, aripiprazole, and methylphenidate. Aripiprazole showed a complete resolution of hypoactive delirium (P < .001), and methylphenidate showed a significant amelioration in cognitive function (P < .001). Ziprasidone and haloperidol did not show significant differences compared with placebo.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

A limited number of clinical studies on the treatment of hypoactive delirium are available. Aripiprazole and methylphenidate showed promising results in the treatment of hypoactive delirium.

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).

Therapeutic options for agitation in the intensive care unit

Agitation is common in the intensive care unit (ICU). There are numerous contributing factors, including pain, underlying disease, withdrawal syndrome, delirium and some medication. Agitation can compromise patient safety through accidental removal of tubes and catheters, prolong the duration of stay in the ICU, and may be related to various complications. This review aims to analyse evidence-based medical literature to improve management of agitation and to consider pharmacological strategies. The non-pharmacological approach is considered to reduce the risk of agitation. Pharmacological treatment of agitated patients is detailed and is based on a judicious choice of neuroleptics, benzodiazepines and α2 agonists, and on whether a withdrawal syndrome is identified. Specific management of agitation in elderly patients, brain-injured patients and patients with sleep deprivation are also discussed. This review proposes a practical approach for managing agitation in the ICU.

Episodes of psychomotor agitation among medical patients: findings from a longitudinal multicentre study

BACKGROUND

The management of delirium among older in-hospital patients is a challenge, leading to worse outcomes, including death. Specifically, psychomotor agitation, one of the main characteristics of hyperactive delirium, requires a significant amount of medical and nursing surveillance. However, despite its relevance, to date incidence and/or prevalence of psychomotor agitation, its predictors and outcomes have not been studied among Italian older patients admitted in medical units.

AIMS

To describe the incidence and the prevalence of psychomotor agitation among patients aged > 65 years admitted to medical units and identify predictors at the individual, nursing care and hospital levels.

METHODS

A longitudinal multicentre study was conducted involving 12 medical units in 12 northern Italian hospitals. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Among the 1464 patients included in the study, two hundred (13.6%) have manifested episode(s), with an average of 3.46/patient (95% confidence of interval [CI] 2.73-4.18). In 108 (54.0%) patients, episode(s) were present also in the week prior to hospitalisation: therefore, in-hospital-acquired psychomotor agitation was reported in 92 patients (46%). The multivariate logistic regression analysis explained the 25.4% of the variance and identified the following variables as psychomotor agitation predictors: the risk of falls (relative risk [RR] 1.314, 95% CI 1.218-1.417), the amount of missed nursing care (RR 1.078, 95% CI 1.037-1.12) and the patient's age (RR 1.018, 95% CI 1.002-1.034). Factors preventing the occurrence of episode(s) were: the amount of care received from graduated nurses (RR 0.978; 95% CI 0.965-0.992) and the lower functional dependence at admission (RR 0.987, 95% CI 0.977-0.997).

CONCLUSIONS

A considerable number of elderly patients admitted in medical units develop psychomotor agitation; its predictors need to be identified early to inform decisions regarding the personal care needed to prevent its occurrence, especially by acting on modifiable factors, such as the risk of falls, missed nursing care and functional dependence.

Development of delirium: Association with old age, severe burns, and intensive care

BACKGROUND

Delirium is defined as a disturbance of attention and awareness that develops over a short period of time, is a change from the baseline, and typically fluctuates over time. Burn care involves a high prevalence of known risk factors for delirium such as sedation, inflammation, and prolonged stay in hospital. Our aim was to explore the extent of delirium and the impact of factors associated with it for adult patients who have been admitted to hospital with burns.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, all adult patients who had been admitted with burns during a four-year period were studied, including both those who were treated with intensive care and intermediate care only (no intensive care). Daily records of the assessment of delirium using the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC) were analysed together with age, sex, the percentage of total body surface area burned, operations, and numbers of wound care procedures under anaesthesia, concentrations of plasma C-reactive protein, and other clinical variables. Logistic regression was used to analyse factors that were associated with delirium and its effect on mortality, and linear regression was used to analyse its effect on the duration of hospital stay.

RESULTS

Fifty-one patients (19%) of the total 262 showed signs of delirium (Nu-DESC score of 2 or more) at least once during their stay in hospital. Signs of delirium were recorded in 42/89 patients (47%) who received intensive care, and in 9/173 (5%) who had intermediate care. Independent factors for delirium in the multivariable regression were: age over 74 years; number of operations and wound care procedures under anaesthesia; and the provision of intensive care (area under the curve 0.940, 95% CI 0.899-0.981). Duration of hospital stay, adjusted for age and burn size, was 13.2 (95% CI 7.4-18.9, p < 0.001) days longer in the group who had delirium. We found no independent effects of delirium on mortality.

CONCLUSION

We found a strong association between delirium and older age, provision ofr intensive care, and number of interventions under anaesthesia. A further 5% of patients who did not receive intensive care also showed signs of delirium, which is a finding that deserves to be thoroughly investigated in the future.

Risk factors and outcomes among delirium subtypes in adult ICUs: A systematic review

PURPOSE

Use systematic review methodology to summarize risk factors and outcomes for each delirium subtype (hypoactive, hyperactive and mixed) in an adult ICU population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Web of Science and PsycINFO databases from database inception until August 13, 2018, with no restrictions.

RESULTS

Of 9635 abstracts, 20 studies were included. Older age was not associated with any delirium subtype in 4/7 (57%) studies. Sex was not associated with any delirium subtype in 4/4 (100%) studies. Mortality was consistently associated with hypoactive delirium in 4/7 (57%) studies. The evidence supporting the association of APACHE-II score, mechanical ventilation, length of stay, duration of delirium and removal of tubes were inconsistent across studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Although included studies reported on many subtype-specific risk factors and outcomes, heterogeneity in reporting and methodological quality limited the generalizability of the results and the evidence for many subtype-specific risk factors or outcomes is inconsistent across studies. Standardized methodology and the creation of a universal template for collecting data in ICU delirium studies are essential moving forward; helping to identify subtype-specific risk factors or outcomes and strengthen the association of potential risk factors or outcomes.

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.

A Study of the Psychometric Properties of the "Stanford Proxy Test for Delirium" (S-PTD): A New Screening Tool for the Detection of Delirium

BACKGROUND

Delirium is a prevalent neuropsychiatric disorder associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Half the cases remain misdiagnosed.

OBJECTIVE

Assess the effectiveness of the Stanford Proxy Test for Delirium (S-PTD) in detecting delirium in an inpatient setting.

METHODS

This is a comparison study. Daily assessment with S-PTD, by the patient's nurse, and a neuropsychiatric assessment by a psychiatrist. Assessments were blinded. Inclusion criteria included 18 years or older. Exclusion criteria included patient's or surrogate's unwillingness to participate, inability to consent if a surrogate was not available, and inability to communicate in English or Spanish. A total of 309 patients were approached: 27 declined participation, 4 were excluded, and 278 subjects were followed up throughout their hospital stay. In the end, 78 were excluded for lack of neuropsychiatric assessment, S-PTD, or both. One was excluded for lack of demographic data. The sensitivity and specificity of the S-PTD in detecting delirium when compared with a neuropsychiatric assessment.

RESULTS

Participants were on average 60.8 years old and 54.3% were male. Patients who developed delirium were, on average, older (15.12 y, confidence interval: 8.94-21.32). A total of 199 patients were analyzed; 43 patients (21.6%) met criteria for delirium. S-PTD detected 67 days with delirium (16.5%) of 405 hospital days, while neuropsychiatric evaluation identified 83 (20.5%). S-PTD had a sensitivity of 80.72% and a specificity of 90.37%.

CONCLUSION

S-PTD is an effective, comprehensive, and simple screening tool for delirium, which is robust despite fluctuating symptoms and lack of cooperation. The use of S-PTD may enhance early diagnosis of delirium.

Outcome Differences by Delirium Motor Subtype in Patients with Ischemic Stroke

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the outcomes of ischemic stroke patients according to delirium motor subtype.

METHODS

This study included patients who were admitted to the stroke unit between August 2017 and March 2019 and met the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for delirium. Patients were assessed twice weekly throughout their delirium episodes using the Korean version of the Delirium Motor Subtype Scale (K-DMSS) and the Korean version of the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (K-DRS-98). The clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes of the patients were also assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 943 stroke patients were included; the rate of incident delirium was 10.18%. Of the 95 delirium patients, 34 were classified as the hyperactive subtype, 30 as the mixed subtype, 25 as the hypoactive and six as no subtype. Among the subtype groups, the hypoactive subtype had the highest initial scores on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS; 6.72±4.75, p=0.02) and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS; 3.96±1.24, p<0.01). Additionally, the mixed and hypoactive subtypes had longer durations (p<0.01) and more severe symptoms of delirium (p=0.03) than the other motor subtypes, and the hypoactive subtype group had a significantly longer hospital stay (36.88±27.71 days, p<0.01) than the other subtype groups. After adjusting for baseline covariates in a multiple linear regression analysis, these differences remained significant.

CONCLUSION

The present results suggest that the motor subtype of delirium is associated with different characteristics and outcomes in ischemic stroke patients.

Role of Wearable Accelerometer Devices in Delirium Studies: A Systematic Review

We sought to determine the feasibility of using wearable accelerometer devices for determining delirium effects on patients' physical activity patterns and detecting delirium and delirium subtype.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science.

STUDY SELECTION

Screening was performed using predefined search terms to identify original research studies using accelerometer devices for studying physical activity in relation to delirium.

DATA EXTRACTION

Key data were extracted from the selected articles.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Among the 14 studies identified, there were a total of 315 patients who wore accelerometer devices to record movements related to delirium. Eight studies (57.1%) used accelerometer devices to compare the activity of delirious and nondelirious patients. Delirious patients had lower activity levels, lower restlessness index, higher number of daytime immobility minutes, lower mean activity levels during the day, and higher mean activity levels at night. Delirious patients also had lower actual sleep time, lower sleep efficiency, fewer nighttime minutes resting, fewer minutes resting over 24 hours, and smaller change in activity from day to night. Six studies (42.9%) evaluated the feasibility of using accelerometer devices for detection of delirium and its subtype. Variables including number of postural changes during daytime, frequency of ultrashort, short, and continuous movements were significantly different among the nondelirium and the three delirium subtypes.

CONCLUSIONS

The results from the studies using accelerometer devices in studying delirium demonstrate that accelerometer devices can potentially detect the differences between delirious and nondelirious patients, detect delirium, and determine delirium subtype. We suggest the following directions as the next steps for future studies using accelerometer devices for predicting delirium: benchmark studies with longer data collection, larger and more diverse population size, incorporating related factors (e.g., medications), and evaluating delirium subtype and severity.

The incidence and prevalence of delirium across palliative care settings: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Delirium is a common and distressing neurocognitive condition that frequently affects patients in palliative care settings and is often underdiagnosed.

AIM

Expanding on a 2013 review, this systematic review examines the incidence and prevalence of delirium across all palliative care settings.

DESIGN

This systematic review and meta-analyses were prospectively registered with PROSPERO and included a risk of bias assessment.

DATA SOURCES

Five electronic databases were examined for primary research studies published between 1980 and 2018. Studies on adult, non-intensive care and non-postoperative populations, either receiving or eligible to receive palliative care, underwent dual reviewer screening and data extraction. Studies using standardized delirium diagnostic criteria or valid assessment tools were included.

RESULTS

Following initial screening of 2596 records, and full-text screening of 153 papers, 42 studies were included. Patient populations diagnosed with predominantly cancer (n = 34) and mixed diagnoses (n = 8) were represented. Delirium point prevalence estimates were 4%-12% in the community, 9%-57% across hospital palliative care consultative services, and 6%-74% in inpatient palliative care units. The prevalence of delirium prior to death across all palliative care settings (n = 8) was 42%-88%. Pooled point prevalence on admission to inpatient palliative care units was 35% (confidence interval = 0.29-0.40, n = 14). Only one study had an overall low risk of bias. Varying delirium screening and diagnostic practices were used.

CONCLUSION

Delirium is prevalent across all palliative care settings, with one-third of patients delirious at the time of admission to inpatient palliative care. Study heterogeneity limits meta-analyses and highlights the future need for rigorous studies.

Delirium motor subtypes and prognosis in hospitalized geriatric patients - A prospective observational study

OBJECTIVE

Delirium is common and associated with poor outcomes. Hypoactive motor subtype may predict worse outcome than no-subtype, hyperactive and mixed delirium, but uncertainty remains due to heterogeneity of results and subtyping tools. Other prognostic aspects across delirium motor subtypes are understudied. We investigated differences in one-year mortality, length of stay and institutionalization at discharge and after one year, across delirium motor subtypes in geriatric patients.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective observational study, included 311 patients ≥75 years acutely admitted to a geriatric ward, diagnosed delirium using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (5th ed.) criteria and used the Delirium Motor Subtype Scale for subtyping. Differences in mortality across subtypes were investigated using Cox proportional-hazard regression analyses, unadjusted and adjusted for age, comorbidity and delirium severity. We investigated differences in length of stay and institutionalization using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Pearson's chi-squared test with subsequent Hommel-adjusted pairwise comparisons.

RESULTS

Ninety-three patients (30%) had delirium; 12 (13%) had no-subtype, 27 (29%) hyperactive, 30 (32%) hypoactive and 24 (26%) mixed delirium. There were no group differences regarding mortality (p = .61) or length of stay (p = .32). Analyses indicated group differences regarding discharge to an institution (p = .028), but pairwise comparisons showed no differences (smallest p = .071, no-subtype 45% vs hypoactive 85%). There were no group differences in institutionalization after one year (p = .26).

CONCLUSION

There were no significant differences in one-year mortality, length of stay or institutionalization across delirium motor subtypes in geriatric patients, although the study may indicate better prognosis in the no-subtype group.

Differences in 90-day mortality of delirium subtypes in the intensive care unit: A retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Many intensive care unit (ICU) patients suffer from delirium which is associated with deleterious short-term and long-term effects, including mortality. We determined the association between different delirium subtypes and 90-day mortality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective cohort study in ICU patients admitted in 2015-2017. Delirium, including its subtypes, was determined using the confusion assessment method-ICU (CAM-ICU) and Richmond agitation sedation scale (RASS). Exclusion criteria were insufficient assessments and persistent coma. Cox-regression analysis was used to determine associations of delirium subtypes with 90-day mortality, including relevant covariates (APACHE-IV, length of ICU stay and mechanical ventilation).

RESULTS

7362 ICU patients were eligible of whom 6323 (86%) were included. Delirium occurred in 1600 (25%) patients (stratified for delirium subtype: N = 571-36% mixed, N = 485-30% rapidly reversible, N = 433-27% hypoactive, N = 111-7% hyperactive). The crude hazard ratio (HR) for overall prevalent delirium with 90-day mortality was 2.84 (95%CI: 2.32-3.49), and the adjusted HR 1.29 (95%CI: 1.01-1.65). The adjusted HR for 90-day mortality was 1.57 (95%CI: 1.51-2.14) for the mixed subtype, 1.40 (95%CI: 0.71-2.73) for hyperactive, 1.31 (95%CI: 0.93-1.84) for hypoactive and 0.95 (95%CI: 0.64-1.42) for rapidly reversible delirium.

CONCLUSION

After adjusting for covariates, including competing risk factors, only the mixed delirium subtype was significantly associated with 90-day mortality.

DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Atropine, Scopolamine, and Other Anticholinergic Deliriant Hallucinogens

Anticholinergic drugs based on tropane alkaloids, including atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine, have been used for various medicinal and toxic purposes for millennia. These drugs are competitive antagonists of acetylcholine muscarinic (M-) receptors that potently modulate the central nervous system (CNS). Currently used clinically to treat vomiting, nausea, and bradycardia, as well as alongside other anesthetics to avoid vagal inhibition, these drugs also evoke potent psychotropic effects, including characteristic delirium-like states with hallucinations, altered mood, and cognitive deficits. Given the growing clinical importance of anti-M deliriant hallucinogens, here we discuss their use and abuse, clinical importance, and the growing value in preclinical (experimental) animal models relevant to modeling CNS functions and dysfunctions.

Motor activity across delirium motor subtypes in geriatric patients assessed using body-worn sensors: a Norwegian cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

It remains unclear if geriatric patients with different delirium motor subtypes express different levels of motor activity. Thus, we used two accelerometer-based devices to simultaneously measure upright activity and wrist activity across delirium motor subtypes in geriatric patients.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTINGS

Geriatric ward in a university hospital in Norway.

PARTICIPANTS

Sixty acutely admitted patients, ≥75 years, with DSM-5-delirium.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Upright activity measured as upright time (minutes) and sit-to-stand transitions (numbers), total wrist activity (counts) and wrist activity in a sedentary position (WAS, per cent of the sedentary time) during 24 hours ongoing Delirium Motor Subtype Scalesubtyped delirium.

RESULTS

Mean age was 86.7 years. 15 had hyperactive, 20 hypoactive, 17 mixed and 8 had no-subtype delirium. We found more upright time in the no-subtype group than in the hypoactive group (119.3 vs 37.8 min, p=0.042), but no differences between the hyperactive, the hypoactive and the mixed groups (79.1 vs 37.8 vs 50.1 min, all p>0.28). The no-subtype group had a higher number of transitions than the hypoactive (54.3 vs 17.4, p=0.005) and the mixed groups (54.3 vs 17.5, p=0.013). The hyperactive group had more total wrist activity than the hypoactive group (1.238×10⁴ vs 586×10⁴ counts, p=0.009). The hyperactive and the mixed groups had more WAS than the hypoactive group (20% vs 11%, p=0.032 and 19% vs 11%, p=0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

Geriatric patients with delirium demonstrated a low level of upright activity, with no differences between the hyperactive, hypoactive and mixed groups, possibly due to poor gait function. The hyperactive and mixed groups had more WAS than the hypoactive group, indicating true differences in motor activity across delirium motor subtypes, also in geriatric patients. Wrist activity appears more suitable than an upright activity for both diagnostic purposes and activity monitoring in geriatric delirium.

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.

Electroencephalography and delirium in the postoperative period

Delirium commonly manifests in the postoperative period as a clinical syndrome resulting from acute brain dysfunction or encephalopathy. Delirium is characterized by acute and often fluctuating changes in attention and cognition. Emergence delirium typically presents and resolves within minutes to hours after termination of general anaesthesia. Postoperative delirium hours to days after an invasive procedure can herald poor outcomes. Easily recognized when patients are hyperactive or agitated, delirium often evades diagnosis as it most frequently presents with hypoactivity and somnolence. EEG offers objective measurements to complement clinical assessment of this complex fluctuating disorder. Although EEG features of delirium in the postoperative period remain incompletely characterized, a shift of EEG power into low frequencies is a typical finding shared among encephalopathies that manifest with delirium. In aggregate, existing data suggest that serial or continuous EEG in the postoperative period facilitates monitoring of delirium development and severity and assists in detecting epileptic aetiologies. Future studies are needed to clarify the precise EEG features that can reliably predict or diagnose delirium in the postoperative period, and to provide mechanistic insights into this pathologically diverse neurological disorder.