POST-OPERATIVE DELIRIUM IN ELDERLY

Abstract : INTRODUCTIONDelirium,defined as an acute disorder of attention and global cognitive function, is a common, serious, and potentially preventable source of morbidity and mortality for hospitalized older persons. It occurs in 14 to 56 of such persons and represents the most frequent complication of hospitalization for this group. AIMS AND OBJECTIVESThe purpose of the study was to describe the natural history, identify risk factors and determine outcomes in the development of postoperative delirium in the elderly.METHODOLOGY 100 patients (50 males and 50 females) aged 65 and above in surgical and orthopaedics preoperative and postoperative wards at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai were selected and preoperative risk factors like anemia, raised total leucocyte count, cognitive impairment (using MMSE), type of surgery done and anaesthesia were identified and patients were screened for delirium on the first three postoperative days using Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). RESULTSOut of 100 patients, 12 develoed delirium, of which 3 were males and 9 were females. Pre-operative anemia and elevated total leucocyte count had a statistically significant association with postoperative delirium. The focus of the study was to evaluate baseline vulnerability, characteristics that could be helpful in identifying patients at risk for developing postoperative delirium. Keyword :delirium, postoperative, elderly, anemia, cognitive impairment, CAM method