Association between postop delirium, cognitive dysfunction

Editor's Note

In this study, postoperative delirium significantly increased the risk of postoperative cognitive dysfunction in older adults at 1 month after surgery, but there was no association at 2 and 6 months.

Of 560 patients analyzed, 24% developed delirium during hospitalization. At 1 month after surgery, 47% had not recovered their preoperative cognitive abilities and met the criteria for postoperative cognitive dysfunction. At 2 months after surgery, 23% qualified as having cognitive dysfunction, and at 6 months, 16% had cognitive dysfunction.

The relative risk of postoperative cognitive dysfunction was significantly elevated for patients who had postoperative delirium at 1 month, but not 2 months or 6 months.

The findings suggest that postoperative delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction may be distinct manifestations of perioperative neurocognitive dysfunction, the researchers conclude.