Delirium syndrome in the postoperative period

Introduction: The presence of delirium is associated with decreased cognitive function, long-term hospitalization, more severe health problems, and higher mortality rates. The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence of postoperative delirium and its main risk factors based on available research studies. Material and methods: The source of data used to achieve the purpose of the work were 78 original works on the subject of postoperative delirium. The analysed material concerned full-text works published in the years 2013-2023. Results: Patients after cardiac, orthopaedic, abdominal, thoracic, vascular, neurosurgical, and urological procedures were qualified for postoperative delirium testing. In total, in all studies, the study group consisted of 29,359 patients. Postoperative delirium syndrome occurred in 4720 of these patients (17%). It developed in 1/5 of patients after vascular and neurosurgical operations. It mainly concerned patients over 65 years of age. It was determined that the risk factors predisposing to the development of this complication accounted for 70% and the triggering factors for 30%. Various scales were used to diagnose delirium: DSM-IV, DSM-V, CAM, CAM-ICU, MDAS. The CAM scale was most frequently used (31%). Conclusions: Postoperative delirium occurred mainly in people over 65 years of age. The highest rate of delirium was observed after vascular and neurosurgical operations. The review shows that the greatest impact on the occurrence of delirium after procedures had predisposing factors, i.e. advanced age, comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, lung disease, chronic renal failure, depression), cognitive, visual, and auditory function disorders, and dementia. In the diagnosis of postoperative delirium, the CAM scale was most often used.