Background
Postoperative delirium (POD) among older patients is a common, serious disease and is associated with a high incidence of negative outcomes. For early detection of POD and subsyndromal delirium (SSD), this study was conducted to identify risk factors of POD and SSD in older patients in a general ward who were scheduled for surgery.
Methods
This was a prospective observational study. Study participants were older than 65 years, underwent urology surgery, and were hospitalized in the general ward between April and September 2019. Both POD and SSD were assessed by using the Confusion Assessment Method on the preoperative day, the day of surgery, and postoperative days 1–3. Personal characteristics, clinical data, cognitive function, physical functions, laboratory test results, medication use, type of surgery and anesthesia, and use of restraints were collected from medical records. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify the risk factors for POD and SSD.
Results
A total of 101 participants (mean age 74.9 years) were enrolled; 19 (18.8%) developed POD and SSD. The use of bed sensors (odds ratio 10.2, p = .001) and preoperative level of C-reactive protein (CRP; odds ratio 1.5, p = .054) were identified as risk factors for POD and SSD.
Conclusions
POD and SSD among older patients in general wards were related to bed sensor use and the preoperative CRP level. Therefore, this study suggests that in order prevent POD and SSD for older patients in general wards, it is necessary to avoid bed sensor use as restraints and to assess the preoperative CRP level.