The CAM-ICU showed the best validity of the evaluated scales to identify delirium in ICU patients. The Nu-DESC might be an alternative tool for detection of ICU delirium. The DDS should not be used as a screening tool.

T helper cell-mediated immunity was significantly suppressed before surgery and possibly led to inadequate cytotoxic lymphocyte and whole blood cell response in long-term alcoholic patients after surgery. This altered cell-mediated immunity might have accounted for the increased infection rate in long-term alcoholic patients after surgery.

Intervention at the level of the HPA axis altered the immune response to surgical stress. This resulted in decreased postoperative pneumonia rates and shortened intensive care unit stay in long-term alcoholic patients.

No abstract