A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study on the Incidence, Risk Factor and Outcome of Delirium in Surgical Patients in the Semi-Closed Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Introduction: There is a variation in risk factors and outcome of delirium in
surgical patients in different studies. This study was conducted to determine
the incidence, risk factors, and outcome of delirium in the surgical semiclosed intensive care unit in a developing country.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was done in 82 patients of
age≥18 years that underwent non-neurological surgery and admitted for
more than 24 hours in a level three intensive care unit of medical college
from January 10, 2021 to January 9, 2022. The whole sampling method was
used in our study. The Confusion Assessment Method-ICU and Richmond
Agitation Sedation Scale were used to diagnose delirium and sedation,
respectively, along with a checklist to assess risk factors. All data was
transferred to the excel sheet and transferred to a statistical package for the
social sciences-16. Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact probability test were
used to detect the difference between groups in the univariate analysis, as
appropriate. The risk factors were analysed using binary logistic regression.

Result: Of the 82 ICU admissions 28(34.1%) developed delirium. Hyperactive
delirium was the most common motor subtype 12(42.8%). The mean
duration of delirium was 4.69±5.06 days. Hypertension and alcohol were
identified as risk factors for delirium. Delirious patients had a longer length
of stay in the ICU (10.1 ±12.7 vs 5.1 ±4.2 days) with no impact on the
duration of mechanical ventilation, mortality, reintubation, and unplanned
extubation.

Conclusion: Early recognition of risk factors for delirium in surgical patients
can decrease the mortality and morbidity of surgical patients.